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

But White, a college dropout who was operating boxing gyms around Las Vegas and managing a few UFC fighters, saw opportunity. —Matt Craig, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2025

Van Sant knows this history well, pointing out that Jobs attributed the aesthetic revolution of early Apple computers to soaking up calligraphy as a dropout hanging around Reed. —Matt Thompson, SPIN, 3 Feb. 2025

Verb

Following the assault, Fulton, an actress, also had to drop out of a Netflix series as well as promotional events related to her brand Cyclish. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2025

Marlowe pursued music during a short stint in college but dropped out to work to support his family, serving as an auto parts salesman for General Motors. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1930, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1875, in the meaning defined above

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