exclude

verb ex·clude \iks-ˈklüd\

: to prevent (someone) from doing something or being a part of a group

: to leave out (something) : to not include (something)

: to think that (something, such as a possibility) is not worth attention

ex·clud·edex·clud·ing

Full Definition of EXCLUDE

transitive verb

a : to prevent or restrict the entrance of

b : to bar from participation, consideration, or inclusion

: to expel or bar especially from a place or position previously occupied

— ex·clud·er noun

See exclude defined for English-language learners

See exclude defined for kids

Origin of EXCLUDE

Middle English, from Latin excludere, from ex- + claudere to close — more at close

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to EXCLUDE

Synonyms: ban, bar, close out, count (out), debar, eliminate, except, freeze out, rule out, shut out, close one's doors to

Antonyms: admit, include

Rhymes with EXCLUDE

allude, blood feud, collude, conclude, delude, denude, elude, extrude, exude, fast-food, health food, include, intrude, junk food, obtrude, occlude, plant food, postlude, preclude, prelude, protrude, quaalude, seafood, seclude, subdued, transude, unglued

EXCLUDED Defined for Kids

exclude

verb ex·clude \ik-ˈsklüd\

ex·clud·edex·clud·ing

Definition of EXCLUDE for Kids

: to shut out : keep out <Don't exclude your little sister from the game.>

Word Root of EXCLUDE

The Latin word claudere, meaning “to close” or “to shut,” gives us the root clud. To exclude is to shut another out of a group. To include is to shut someone into a group. To conclude, or bring something, such as a speech, to an end, is to close it.