log out
end your session on a computer or website
What does "log out" mean?
Examples
- Don't forget to log out when you're done with the shared computer.
- I logged out of my account before closing the browser.
- Have you logged out of all your devices?
How to use it
Used alone without specifying a platform — the most common and natural form, especially in instructions and reminders.
Always log out when you finish using the library computers.
Use 'of' when you want to name the specific app, website, or account you are leaving.
She logged out of her email before handing the laptop to her colleague.
This phrasal verb often appears after verbs like 'remember' or 'forget' to talk about habits or mistakes with account security.
He forgot to log out of his account on the office computer.
Modal verbs like 'should', 'need to', or 'make sure you' are very common with this verb, often in security advice.
You should log out of all your devices if you lose your phone.
Use with adverbs like 'automatically' or 'manually' to describe how a system or person ends the session.
The banking app automatically logs you out after ten minutes of no activity.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
As a verb, this is always two separate words: 'log out'. The one-word form 'logout' is only used as a noun or adjective (for example, 'the logout button'). Writing 'I need to logout' is incorrect.
When you name the app or system you are leaving, you must use 'of' between 'log out' and the platform name. You cannot place the platform name directly after 'out'.
'Log out' only ends your user session — the computer or device stays on. 'Shut down' turns the machine off completely. These two actions are different, so be careful not to mix them up.
Usage
'Log out' is neutral and works in all everyday situations — instructions, tech support, or casual conversation. 'Sign out' means exactly the same thing and is preferred on some platforms (Google, Apple), so both are useful to know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'log out' the same as 'sign out'?
Yes, they mean exactly the same thing. 'Sign out' is the term preferred on platforms like Google and Apple, while 'log out' is more common on social media and older websites. You can use either one and people will understand you.
What is the difference between 'log out' and 'log off'?
'Log out' and 'log off' are very similar and mostly interchangeable. 'Log out' is more common when talking about websites and apps, while 'log off' is slightly more associated with ending a session on an operating system like Windows. In everyday conversation, both are widely understood.
Do I always need to say what I am logging out of?
No — you can simply say 'log out' without naming the app or website, and it sounds completely natural. For example, 'Make sure you log out before you leave' is perfectly correct. You only add 'of + the platform' when it is useful or important to be specific.
Can I use 'log out' to talk about turning off my computer?
No. 'Log out' only ends your user session — the computer stays on and other people could still use it. To describe turning the machine off completely, you need a different phrase, such as 'shut down' or 'turn off'.
Is 'log out' used in written instructions as well as conversation?
Yes — you will see 'log out' in both everyday conversation and in written instructions, security warnings, and button labels on websites and apps. It works well in all of these situations and is not too formal or too informal.
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