Usage differences between 'exit' and 'egress'?
Are they perfectly interchangeable? Dictionary definitions seems to agree.
word-usage usage
add a comment |
Are they perfectly interchangeable? Dictionary definitions seems to agree.
word-usage usage
2
P.T. Barnum's American Museum was so popular that people would spend the entire day there. This cut into profits, as the museum would be too full to squeeze another person in. Barnum put up signs that said "This Way to the Egress." Many customers followed the signs, not realizing that Egress was a fancy word for "Exit." They kept on looking for this strange new attraction, the "Egress".
– bib
Oct 29 '15 at 18:03
1
@bib: I understand that snowy egress were much prized for their plumes at that time.
– Sven Yargs
Oct 29 '15 at 18:28
2
@SvenYargs I think the high point of egress fashion occurred when Edith Piaf bemoaned her utter lack of the fine feathered friend in Je n'ai egrette rien!
– bib
Oct 29 '15 at 18:33
add a comment |
Are they perfectly interchangeable? Dictionary definitions seems to agree.
word-usage usage
Are they perfectly interchangeable? Dictionary definitions seems to agree.
word-usage usage
word-usage usage
asked Oct 29 '15 at 16:54
qedpi
1313
1313
2
P.T. Barnum's American Museum was so popular that people would spend the entire day there. This cut into profits, as the museum would be too full to squeeze another person in. Barnum put up signs that said "This Way to the Egress." Many customers followed the signs, not realizing that Egress was a fancy word for "Exit." They kept on looking for this strange new attraction, the "Egress".
– bib
Oct 29 '15 at 18:03
1
@bib: I understand that snowy egress were much prized for their plumes at that time.
– Sven Yargs
Oct 29 '15 at 18:28
2
@SvenYargs I think the high point of egress fashion occurred when Edith Piaf bemoaned her utter lack of the fine feathered friend in Je n'ai egrette rien!
– bib
Oct 29 '15 at 18:33
add a comment |
2
P.T. Barnum's American Museum was so popular that people would spend the entire day there. This cut into profits, as the museum would be too full to squeeze another person in. Barnum put up signs that said "This Way to the Egress." Many customers followed the signs, not realizing that Egress was a fancy word for "Exit." They kept on looking for this strange new attraction, the "Egress".
– bib
Oct 29 '15 at 18:03
1
@bib: I understand that snowy egress were much prized for their plumes at that time.
– Sven Yargs
Oct 29 '15 at 18:28
2
@SvenYargs I think the high point of egress fashion occurred when Edith Piaf bemoaned her utter lack of the fine feathered friend in Je n'ai egrette rien!
– bib
Oct 29 '15 at 18:33
2
2
P.T. Barnum's American Museum was so popular that people would spend the entire day there. This cut into profits, as the museum would be too full to squeeze another person in. Barnum put up signs that said "This Way to the Egress." Many customers followed the signs, not realizing that Egress was a fancy word for "Exit." They kept on looking for this strange new attraction, the "Egress".
– bib
Oct 29 '15 at 18:03
P.T. Barnum's American Museum was so popular that people would spend the entire day there. This cut into profits, as the museum would be too full to squeeze another person in. Barnum put up signs that said "This Way to the Egress." Many customers followed the signs, not realizing that Egress was a fancy word for "Exit." They kept on looking for this strange new attraction, the "Egress".
– bib
Oct 29 '15 at 18:03
1
1
@bib: I understand that snowy egress were much prized for their plumes at that time.
– Sven Yargs
Oct 29 '15 at 18:28
@bib: I understand that snowy egress were much prized for their plumes at that time.
– Sven Yargs
Oct 29 '15 at 18:28
2
2
@SvenYargs I think the high point of egress fashion occurred when Edith Piaf bemoaned her utter lack of the fine feathered friend in Je n'ai egrette rien!
– bib
Oct 29 '15 at 18:33
@SvenYargs I think the high point of egress fashion occurred when Edith Piaf bemoaned her utter lack of the fine feathered friend in Je n'ai egrette rien!
– bib
Oct 29 '15 at 18:33
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
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The two words are different. No two words are "perfectly interchangeable", although some word-pairs are sometimes used interchangeably. In this case, for example, 'exit' used as a noun may refer to "a channel of egress":
- A channel of egress; an outlet. Esp. a door affording exit from a public building.
["exit, v. and n.". OED Online. September 2015. Oxford University Press. http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/66274?rskey=Pt7YSp&result=1&isAdvanced=false (accessed October 29, 2015).]
As an oppository to this sense of exit, then, 'egress' used as a noun may refer to "the action of exiting":
- a. The action or an act of going out or leaving from a place; liberty to go out or leave.
["egress, n.". OED Online. September 2015. Oxford University Press. http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/59941?rskey=Bedr4h&result=1&isAdvanced=false (accessed October 29, 2015).]
Verbal uses of the two words differ similarly.
1
It seems dictionaries also list 'an act of leaving' for exit. E.g. 'his exit was hindered by the dog'. Similarly, entry seems to also share the meaning of 'an act of entering', e.g. 'her entry was swift and discreet', a meaning shared by ingress. I'm wondering if there are any reasons (for style, clarity) that cause one to use egress and ingress instead of exit and entry
– qedpi
Nov 1 '15 at 18:44
@qedpi, yes, certainly. Real world example: when talking about the mass movement of spectators away from a sports field after an event, and their subsequent dispersal toward their next destinations, 'egress' covers it, but 'exit' does not. So, you can say "the post-football game egress went smoothly and quickly with public transit resources on hand", but "the exit etc." doesn't cover the same territory, and doesn't seem to me to even work for the use.
– JEL
Nov 1 '15 at 20:05
add a comment |
I often use egress when talking about bigger places, or open areas like a football field, while I use exit for buildings, or cars, or any places with four corners and a door.
1
Egress is a word which I only ever see used by people like architects, road planners etc. But I have heard Americans remark on the fact that exit is not as much used in Britain as it is by them. Outdoor places, car parks etc., tend to have signs which say Way Out. I certainly would never say those cars are having their egress blocked. But I might say that line of cars is blocked in - they can't get out.
– WS2
Oct 29 '15 at 17:30
add a comment |
A means of egress is an unobstructed path to leave buildings, structures, and spaces. A means of egress is comprised of exit access, exit, and exit discharge. The IBC requires at least two means of egress from all spaces and buildings with few exceptions.
New contributor
1
Hi David, welcome to EL&U. Your answer doesn't address the question, which is what's the difference, and would therefore be better as a comment. Comments are a privilege requiring 50 reputation points, but you can easily earn these points by posting good answers (each upvote earns you 10 pts) or questions (upvotes earn 5 pts). See How to Answer for further guidance, and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
8 hours ago
add a comment |
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The two words are different. No two words are "perfectly interchangeable", although some word-pairs are sometimes used interchangeably. In this case, for example, 'exit' used as a noun may refer to "a channel of egress":
- A channel of egress; an outlet. Esp. a door affording exit from a public building.
["exit, v. and n.". OED Online. September 2015. Oxford University Press. http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/66274?rskey=Pt7YSp&result=1&isAdvanced=false (accessed October 29, 2015).]
As an oppository to this sense of exit, then, 'egress' used as a noun may refer to "the action of exiting":
- a. The action or an act of going out or leaving from a place; liberty to go out or leave.
["egress, n.". OED Online. September 2015. Oxford University Press. http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/59941?rskey=Bedr4h&result=1&isAdvanced=false (accessed October 29, 2015).]
Verbal uses of the two words differ similarly.
1
It seems dictionaries also list 'an act of leaving' for exit. E.g. 'his exit was hindered by the dog'. Similarly, entry seems to also share the meaning of 'an act of entering', e.g. 'her entry was swift and discreet', a meaning shared by ingress. I'm wondering if there are any reasons (for style, clarity) that cause one to use egress and ingress instead of exit and entry
– qedpi
Nov 1 '15 at 18:44
@qedpi, yes, certainly. Real world example: when talking about the mass movement of spectators away from a sports field after an event, and their subsequent dispersal toward their next destinations, 'egress' covers it, but 'exit' does not. So, you can say "the post-football game egress went smoothly and quickly with public transit resources on hand", but "the exit etc." doesn't cover the same territory, and doesn't seem to me to even work for the use.
– JEL
Nov 1 '15 at 20:05
add a comment |
The two words are different. No two words are "perfectly interchangeable", although some word-pairs are sometimes used interchangeably. In this case, for example, 'exit' used as a noun may refer to "a channel of egress":
- A channel of egress; an outlet. Esp. a door affording exit from a public building.
["exit, v. and n.". OED Online. September 2015. Oxford University Press. http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/66274?rskey=Pt7YSp&result=1&isAdvanced=false (accessed October 29, 2015).]
As an oppository to this sense of exit, then, 'egress' used as a noun may refer to "the action of exiting":
- a. The action or an act of going out or leaving from a place; liberty to go out or leave.
["egress, n.". OED Online. September 2015. Oxford University Press. http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/59941?rskey=Bedr4h&result=1&isAdvanced=false (accessed October 29, 2015).]
Verbal uses of the two words differ similarly.
1
It seems dictionaries also list 'an act of leaving' for exit. E.g. 'his exit was hindered by the dog'. Similarly, entry seems to also share the meaning of 'an act of entering', e.g. 'her entry was swift and discreet', a meaning shared by ingress. I'm wondering if there are any reasons (for style, clarity) that cause one to use egress and ingress instead of exit and entry
– qedpi
Nov 1 '15 at 18:44
@qedpi, yes, certainly. Real world example: when talking about the mass movement of spectators away from a sports field after an event, and their subsequent dispersal toward their next destinations, 'egress' covers it, but 'exit' does not. So, you can say "the post-football game egress went smoothly and quickly with public transit resources on hand", but "the exit etc." doesn't cover the same territory, and doesn't seem to me to even work for the use.
– JEL
Nov 1 '15 at 20:05
add a comment |
The two words are different. No two words are "perfectly interchangeable", although some word-pairs are sometimes used interchangeably. In this case, for example, 'exit' used as a noun may refer to "a channel of egress":
- A channel of egress; an outlet. Esp. a door affording exit from a public building.
["exit, v. and n.". OED Online. September 2015. Oxford University Press. http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/66274?rskey=Pt7YSp&result=1&isAdvanced=false (accessed October 29, 2015).]
As an oppository to this sense of exit, then, 'egress' used as a noun may refer to "the action of exiting":
- a. The action or an act of going out or leaving from a place; liberty to go out or leave.
["egress, n.". OED Online. September 2015. Oxford University Press. http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/59941?rskey=Bedr4h&result=1&isAdvanced=false (accessed October 29, 2015).]
Verbal uses of the two words differ similarly.
The two words are different. No two words are "perfectly interchangeable", although some word-pairs are sometimes used interchangeably. In this case, for example, 'exit' used as a noun may refer to "a channel of egress":
- A channel of egress; an outlet. Esp. a door affording exit from a public building.
["exit, v. and n.". OED Online. September 2015. Oxford University Press. http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/66274?rskey=Pt7YSp&result=1&isAdvanced=false (accessed October 29, 2015).]
As an oppository to this sense of exit, then, 'egress' used as a noun may refer to "the action of exiting":
- a. The action or an act of going out or leaving from a place; liberty to go out or leave.
["egress, n.". OED Online. September 2015. Oxford University Press. http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/59941?rskey=Bedr4h&result=1&isAdvanced=false (accessed October 29, 2015).]
Verbal uses of the two words differ similarly.
answered Oct 29 '15 at 20:22
JEL
26.6k45190
26.6k45190
1
It seems dictionaries also list 'an act of leaving' for exit. E.g. 'his exit was hindered by the dog'. Similarly, entry seems to also share the meaning of 'an act of entering', e.g. 'her entry was swift and discreet', a meaning shared by ingress. I'm wondering if there are any reasons (for style, clarity) that cause one to use egress and ingress instead of exit and entry
– qedpi
Nov 1 '15 at 18:44
@qedpi, yes, certainly. Real world example: when talking about the mass movement of spectators away from a sports field after an event, and their subsequent dispersal toward their next destinations, 'egress' covers it, but 'exit' does not. So, you can say "the post-football game egress went smoothly and quickly with public transit resources on hand", but "the exit etc." doesn't cover the same territory, and doesn't seem to me to even work for the use.
– JEL
Nov 1 '15 at 20:05
add a comment |
1
It seems dictionaries also list 'an act of leaving' for exit. E.g. 'his exit was hindered by the dog'. Similarly, entry seems to also share the meaning of 'an act of entering', e.g. 'her entry was swift and discreet', a meaning shared by ingress. I'm wondering if there are any reasons (for style, clarity) that cause one to use egress and ingress instead of exit and entry
– qedpi
Nov 1 '15 at 18:44
@qedpi, yes, certainly. Real world example: when talking about the mass movement of spectators away from a sports field after an event, and their subsequent dispersal toward their next destinations, 'egress' covers it, but 'exit' does not. So, you can say "the post-football game egress went smoothly and quickly with public transit resources on hand", but "the exit etc." doesn't cover the same territory, and doesn't seem to me to even work for the use.
– JEL
Nov 1 '15 at 20:05
1
1
It seems dictionaries also list 'an act of leaving' for exit. E.g. 'his exit was hindered by the dog'. Similarly, entry seems to also share the meaning of 'an act of entering', e.g. 'her entry was swift and discreet', a meaning shared by ingress. I'm wondering if there are any reasons (for style, clarity) that cause one to use egress and ingress instead of exit and entry
– qedpi
Nov 1 '15 at 18:44
It seems dictionaries also list 'an act of leaving' for exit. E.g. 'his exit was hindered by the dog'. Similarly, entry seems to also share the meaning of 'an act of entering', e.g. 'her entry was swift and discreet', a meaning shared by ingress. I'm wondering if there are any reasons (for style, clarity) that cause one to use egress and ingress instead of exit and entry
– qedpi
Nov 1 '15 at 18:44
@qedpi, yes, certainly. Real world example: when talking about the mass movement of spectators away from a sports field after an event, and their subsequent dispersal toward their next destinations, 'egress' covers it, but 'exit' does not. So, you can say "the post-football game egress went smoothly and quickly with public transit resources on hand", but "the exit etc." doesn't cover the same territory, and doesn't seem to me to even work for the use.
– JEL
Nov 1 '15 at 20:05
@qedpi, yes, certainly. Real world example: when talking about the mass movement of spectators away from a sports field after an event, and their subsequent dispersal toward their next destinations, 'egress' covers it, but 'exit' does not. So, you can say "the post-football game egress went smoothly and quickly with public transit resources on hand", but "the exit etc." doesn't cover the same territory, and doesn't seem to me to even work for the use.
– JEL
Nov 1 '15 at 20:05
add a comment |
I often use egress when talking about bigger places, or open areas like a football field, while I use exit for buildings, or cars, or any places with four corners and a door.
1
Egress is a word which I only ever see used by people like architects, road planners etc. But I have heard Americans remark on the fact that exit is not as much used in Britain as it is by them. Outdoor places, car parks etc., tend to have signs which say Way Out. I certainly would never say those cars are having their egress blocked. But I might say that line of cars is blocked in - they can't get out.
– WS2
Oct 29 '15 at 17:30
add a comment |
I often use egress when talking about bigger places, or open areas like a football field, while I use exit for buildings, or cars, or any places with four corners and a door.
1
Egress is a word which I only ever see used by people like architects, road planners etc. But I have heard Americans remark on the fact that exit is not as much used in Britain as it is by them. Outdoor places, car parks etc., tend to have signs which say Way Out. I certainly would never say those cars are having their egress blocked. But I might say that line of cars is blocked in - they can't get out.
– WS2
Oct 29 '15 at 17:30
add a comment |
I often use egress when talking about bigger places, or open areas like a football field, while I use exit for buildings, or cars, or any places with four corners and a door.
I often use egress when talking about bigger places, or open areas like a football field, while I use exit for buildings, or cars, or any places with four corners and a door.
answered Oct 29 '15 at 17:11
Miss Gist
91
91
1
Egress is a word which I only ever see used by people like architects, road planners etc. But I have heard Americans remark on the fact that exit is not as much used in Britain as it is by them. Outdoor places, car parks etc., tend to have signs which say Way Out. I certainly would never say those cars are having their egress blocked. But I might say that line of cars is blocked in - they can't get out.
– WS2
Oct 29 '15 at 17:30
add a comment |
1
Egress is a word which I only ever see used by people like architects, road planners etc. But I have heard Americans remark on the fact that exit is not as much used in Britain as it is by them. Outdoor places, car parks etc., tend to have signs which say Way Out. I certainly would never say those cars are having their egress blocked. But I might say that line of cars is blocked in - they can't get out.
– WS2
Oct 29 '15 at 17:30
1
1
Egress is a word which I only ever see used by people like architects, road planners etc. But I have heard Americans remark on the fact that exit is not as much used in Britain as it is by them. Outdoor places, car parks etc., tend to have signs which say Way Out. I certainly would never say those cars are having their egress blocked. But I might say that line of cars is blocked in - they can't get out.
– WS2
Oct 29 '15 at 17:30
Egress is a word which I only ever see used by people like architects, road planners etc. But I have heard Americans remark on the fact that exit is not as much used in Britain as it is by them. Outdoor places, car parks etc., tend to have signs which say Way Out. I certainly would never say those cars are having their egress blocked. But I might say that line of cars is blocked in - they can't get out.
– WS2
Oct 29 '15 at 17:30
add a comment |
A means of egress is an unobstructed path to leave buildings, structures, and spaces. A means of egress is comprised of exit access, exit, and exit discharge. The IBC requires at least two means of egress from all spaces and buildings with few exceptions.
New contributor
1
Hi David, welcome to EL&U. Your answer doesn't address the question, which is what's the difference, and would therefore be better as a comment. Comments are a privilege requiring 50 reputation points, but you can easily earn these points by posting good answers (each upvote earns you 10 pts) or questions (upvotes earn 5 pts). See How to Answer for further guidance, and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
8 hours ago
add a comment |
A means of egress is an unobstructed path to leave buildings, structures, and spaces. A means of egress is comprised of exit access, exit, and exit discharge. The IBC requires at least two means of egress from all spaces and buildings with few exceptions.
New contributor
1
Hi David, welcome to EL&U. Your answer doesn't address the question, which is what's the difference, and would therefore be better as a comment. Comments are a privilege requiring 50 reputation points, but you can easily earn these points by posting good answers (each upvote earns you 10 pts) or questions (upvotes earn 5 pts). See How to Answer for further guidance, and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
8 hours ago
add a comment |
A means of egress is an unobstructed path to leave buildings, structures, and spaces. A means of egress is comprised of exit access, exit, and exit discharge. The IBC requires at least two means of egress from all spaces and buildings with few exceptions.
New contributor
A means of egress is an unobstructed path to leave buildings, structures, and spaces. A means of egress is comprised of exit access, exit, and exit discharge. The IBC requires at least two means of egress from all spaces and buildings with few exceptions.
New contributor
New contributor
answered 12 hours ago
DAVID PLAGER
91
91
New contributor
New contributor
1
Hi David, welcome to EL&U. Your answer doesn't address the question, which is what's the difference, and would therefore be better as a comment. Comments are a privilege requiring 50 reputation points, but you can easily earn these points by posting good answers (each upvote earns you 10 pts) or questions (upvotes earn 5 pts). See How to Answer for further guidance, and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
8 hours ago
add a comment |
1
Hi David, welcome to EL&U. Your answer doesn't address the question, which is what's the difference, and would therefore be better as a comment. Comments are a privilege requiring 50 reputation points, but you can easily earn these points by posting good answers (each upvote earns you 10 pts) or questions (upvotes earn 5 pts). See How to Answer for further guidance, and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
8 hours ago
1
1
Hi David, welcome to EL&U. Your answer doesn't address the question, which is what's the difference, and would therefore be better as a comment. Comments are a privilege requiring 50 reputation points, but you can easily earn these points by posting good answers (each upvote earns you 10 pts) or questions (upvotes earn 5 pts). See How to Answer for further guidance, and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
8 hours ago
Hi David, welcome to EL&U. Your answer doesn't address the question, which is what's the difference, and would therefore be better as a comment. Comments are a privilege requiring 50 reputation points, but you can easily earn these points by posting good answers (each upvote earns you 10 pts) or questions (upvotes earn 5 pts). See How to Answer for further guidance, and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
8 hours ago
add a comment |
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P.T. Barnum's American Museum was so popular that people would spend the entire day there. This cut into profits, as the museum would be too full to squeeze another person in. Barnum put up signs that said "This Way to the Egress." Many customers followed the signs, not realizing that Egress was a fancy word for "Exit." They kept on looking for this strange new attraction, the "Egress".
– bib
Oct 29 '15 at 18:03
1
@bib: I understand that snowy egress were much prized for their plumes at that time.
– Sven Yargs
Oct 29 '15 at 18:28
2
@SvenYargs I think the high point of egress fashion occurred when Edith Piaf bemoaned her utter lack of the fine feathered friend in Je n'ai egrette rien!
– bib
Oct 29 '15 at 18:33