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

Both suspects have been classified as frequent runaways and high school dropouts. —Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025

The statewide dropout rate — the number of students who left school before graduating — fell less than a percentage point to 1.9% during the the 2023-24 academic year, according to the Colorado Department of Education. —Jessica Seaman, The Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2025

Verb

Harris dropped out of the 2020 primary in 2019, before even reaching the Iowa caucus. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 25 Jan. 2025

Both dropped out of college and essentially lived hand-to-mouth in order to pursue their musical dreams. —Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 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