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 district has seen higher attendance, rising test scores, improving graduation rates and lower dropout rates and that progress could be at risk without the new funding, according to Parker. —Dan Snyder, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026

Last year, the 20-year-old dropout founded a marketing agency, Clipping Culture. —Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026

Verb

Now it's bottomed out at about $300, and many growers have given up and dropped out of the market. —John Ramos, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026

On Monday, former state controller Betty Yee dropped out of the race, citing lagging poll numbers and a lack of resources. —Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1930, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1819, 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