Phrasal verb
sign out
Definition
phrasal verb. to record that you are leaving a building or to end your session on a computer or website.
phrasal verb. to record one's departure from a physical location or to terminate a session in a digital environment. It is often used intransitively or followed by the preposition 'of' when referring to a system.
Examples
“Please sign out at the front desk before you leave.”
“For security reasons, the system will automatically sign you out after ten minutes of inactivity.”
“The night shift supervisor reminded the staff that failing to sign out of the secure server could lead to a significant data breach.”
Examples
simple
“Please sign out at the front desk before you leave.”
contextual
“For security reasons, the system will automatically sign you out after ten minutes of inactivity.”
complex
“The night shift supervisor reminded the staff that failing to sign out of the secure server could lead to a significant data breach.”
Usage
Use 'sign out of' when mentioning a specific website or computer program.
Teaching tip
Compare with 'log out' for digital contexts and 'check out' for hotels; 'sign out' is the standard term for visitor logs in offices.
Pitfall
I forgot to sign out the website.
I forgot to sign out of the website.
The phrasal verb requires the preposition 'of' when followed by the name of a digital platform or account.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
optional
Pattern
sign (+ object) + out (+ of + object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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