# Log Out vs Logout vs Sign Out: Which Is Correct?

> To end your session and leave a computer system, app, or online account.

- **Term:** log out
- **Part of speech:** phrasal verb
- **Pronunciation:** /lɒɡ aʊt/
- **English level (CEFR):** A2–B1
- **Register:** Neutral, Both
- **Region:** US and UK
- **Topic:** [Tech jargon](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/topics/tech-jargon.md)
- **Lesson:** https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/log-out
- **Last updated:** 2026-10-27

## Meaning

To end your session and leave a computer system, app, or online account.

Log out is essential vocabulary when discussing account security and session management in engineering contexts. You'll hear this term during standups when teammates mention they're stepping away from their workstations, in incident reports when investigating unauthorized access, and during onboarding when learning about company security protocols. Engineers also log out when switching between different environments or accounts for testing purposes. A common scenario: "I need to log out of the production database before handing my laptop to the next person." One frequent mistake non-native speakers make is confusing log out with shut down or turn off—logging out simply ends your authenticated session while keeping the system running, whereas shutting down stops the entire computer. Remember that logging out is a security best practice, especially when using shared machines or public networks. Most companies require employees to log out before leaving their desks at end of day.

## When you hear it

Used everywhere: Slack, email, apps, documentation, UI buttons. Standard in both casual and formal contexts.

## Examples

- **Standup:** "I was debugging the logout flow yesterday—users were getting logged out randomly."
- **Slack message:** "Hey, can you log out and log back in? That usually fixes it."
- **GitHub PR:** "This PR fixes the bug where users couldn't log out on mobile."
- **Jira ticket:** "Users report they're not logged out after clicking the logout button."
- **Retrospective:** "We should remind the team to log out of shared test accounts."
- **Sprint planning:** "We need to add a 'log out of all devices' feature this sprint."
- **Pair programming:** "Let me log out of my account so you can log in with yours."

## What native speakers say

- "Don't forget to log out when you're done."
- "Can you log out and log back in?"
- "I got logged out automatically after 30 minutes."
- "Make sure you log out of all devices."
- "The session expired so I had to log out."

## Common mistakes

- ✗ "I need to log out from the system." → ✓ "I need to log out of the system." (Use 'log out of' not 'log out from'. This is the standard preposition.)
- ✗ "Please logout your account." → ✓ "Please log out of your account." ('Log out' is a phrasal verb and needs 'of' before the object. 'Logout' (one word) is a noun.)
- ✗ "I logged out the app." → ✓ "I logged out of the app." (You cannot 'log out' something directly. You log out OF something.)

## Word forms

| Part of speech | Word | Example |
| --- | --- | --- |
| phrasal verb (base) | log out | Please log out when you finish. |
| phrasal verb (past) | logged out | I logged out before leaving. |
| phrasal verb (continuous) | logging out | The system is logging out inactive users. |
| noun | logout | Click the logout button in the top right. |
| adjective | logged-out | Logged-out users see a different screen. |


## Collocations

- **log out of**: Standard preposition: log out of your account, log out of the system.
- **log out and log back in**: Common troubleshooting step in tech support.
- **get logged out**: Passive form when the system ends your session automatically.
- **logout button**: 'Logout' as a noun for the UI element.
- **force log out**: When an admin ends someone else's session.

## Synonyms

- **sign out**: Same meaning. More common on consumer apps like Google and Apple.
- **sign off**: Less common for apps. Sometimes used for ending a work session or call.
- **end session**: More technical. Used in documentation or backend code.
- **disconnect**: Usually for network connections, not user accounts.

## Opposites

- log in
- sign in
- authenticate
- connect

## Practice

This lesson has 4 practice exercises with instant feedback on the page: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/log-out

## FAQ

### What is the difference between 'log out' and 'logout'?

'Log out' (two words) is the verb: 'Please log out.' 'Logout' (one word) is the noun: 'Click the logout button.' Many people mix them, but using them correctly sounds more professional.

### Should I say 'log out of' or 'log out from'?

Say 'log out of'. This is the standard form. 'Log out from' is understood but sounds less natural to native speakers.

### Is 'sign out' the same as 'log out'?

Yes, they mean the same thing. 'Sign out' is more common on consumer products like Google and Apple. 'Log out' is more common in enterprise and developer tools.

### Can I say 'I was logged out'?

Yes. 'I was logged out' or 'I got logged out' means the system ended your session automatically, often due to inactivity or a session timeout.

### How do I pronounce 'log out'?

Say it as two words: /lɒɡ aʊt/. The stress is equal on both words. Don't run them together into one syllable.

### What does 'force log out' mean?

'Force log out' means an admin or the system ends someone's session without asking. This is used for security or when troubleshooting.


## Related

- [sign in](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/sign-in.md)
- [session](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/session.md)
- Full glossary: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn.md
- Live lessons with a coach: https://app.mocklyenglish.com

## About Speak Tech English

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