dropout

1 of 2

noun

drop·​out ˈdräp-ˌau̇t 

1

a

: one who drops out of school

b

: one who drops out of conventional society

c

: one who abandons an attempt, activity, or chosen path

a corporate dropout

2

: a momentary defect on a magnetic tape or disk caused by a temporary loss of signal

drop out

2 of 2

verb

ˌdräp-ˈau̇t 

dropped out; dropping out; drops out

intransitive verb

: to withdraw from participation or membership : quit

especially : to withdraw from conventional society

Examples of dropout in a Sentence

Noun

The program is designed for dropouts who wish to get high school equivalency certificates.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The trial was also small and had a significant dropout rate. —Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 7 Apr. 2025

Who would’ve thought that a rapper from Brooklyn, a high-school dropout at that, would be a scholar in residence at Columbia University? —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025

Verb

Despite her defeat, many Democrats still view her favorably, blaming her loss on other factors, such as former President Joe Biden's late decision to drop out of the race. —Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025

Warren played to the late-night crowd for years and still had to drop out of the presidential race in March of 2020. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1930, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1875, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dropout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dugout

Kids Definition

dropout

1 of 2 noun

drop·​out ˈdräp-ˌau̇t 

: a person who drops out especially from a school or a training program

drop out

2 of 2 verb

dräp-ˈau̇t 

: to withdraw from taking part or membership : quit

dropped out of school