What does "exodus" mean?
A sudden departure of a large number of people.
Exodus
/ˈɛksədəs/ name, noun, verb
name, noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A sudden departure of a large number of people.
- Grammar: exodus is listed as name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: abandonment, act, afterpiece, biblical exodus.
- Useful contrasts: arrival, arrivals, influx.
- Usage evidence: The rural exodus depopulated entire villages in this region of Germany.
How to use "exodus"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "exodus" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "exodus" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "exodus" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "exodus" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "exodus" is acting as name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abandonment" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "exodus", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A sudden departure of a large number of people.
"There were no less than three exodi from Egypt. The first was the one just named, viz: the expulsion of two hundred and forty thousand Cuthites by Halisphragmuthosis; this occurred about two hundred years before the entrance of the Israelitish shepherds into Egypt. The second exodus was that of this once holy people, under the guidance of the Almighty, through his servant Moses, the account of which we have in profane history, substantiated in the minutest particulars by the sacred writings given us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, which protected and preserved the race. But the third is not so generally known."
- 2 a journey by a large group to escape from a hostile environment wordnet
Verb
- 1 To depart from a place in a large group.
Proper Noun
- 1 The departure of the Hebrew slaves from Egypt under the leadership of Moses.
- 2 The second of the Books of Moses in the Old Testament of the Bible, the second book in the Torah describing the Exodus.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The rural exodus depopulated entire villages in this region of Germany."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "exodus"?
Common synonyms include: abandonment, act, afterpiece, biblical exodus, bit, chaser.
How do you use "exodus" in a sentence?
The rural exodus depopulated entire villages in this region of Germany.
How do you pronounce "exodus"?
Pronounced /ˈɛksədəs/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Latin Exodus, from Ancient Greek ἔξοδος (éxodos), from ἐξ (ex, “out of”) + ὁδός (hodós, “way”).
Etymology 2
From Latin exodus, from Ancient Greek ἔξοδος (éxodos, “expedition, procession, departure”). Doublet of exodos. From late Old English only as a proper noun, Exodus, the biblical book; use as a common noun is from the early 17th century.