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 some history books, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak are known as the two college dropouts-turned-geniuses who founded the Apple Computer Company in 1976. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025

Schott said that number is closer to the dropout rates seen in trials on Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug Zepbound and Novo Nordisk’s obesity injection Wegovy. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025

Verb

The former Democratic nominee for president stepped into the race after Joe Biden dropped out, after facing pressure and scrutiny regarding his age and mental faculties. —Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 10 Dec. 2025

The congresswoman entered the race Monday after former Representative Colin Allred dropped out of the Senate race, shifting his focus to a new congressional district. —Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025

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