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

In the past 15 years, the gap in the graduation rate between Black and white students decreased from 19.9 points to 9.5 points, the gap between Hispanic and white students decreased from 21.5 points to 9.8 points, while the overall dropout rate dropped from 13.5% to 5.4%. —Hazel Dukes, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2024

The numbers, released in February, also show the four-year dropout rate in the state decreased to 8.13%, down from 8.19% in 2022. —Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 29 Feb. 2024

Verb

The meeting came as Biden and his campaign are confronting an avalanche of calls for the president to drop out after his dismal performance during last week’s CNN presidential debate. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 1 July 2024

And the New York Times editorial board Friday called on Biden to drop out of the race. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 1 July 2024

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