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

Plenty of runners, including some of the coaches and running club dropouts in this story, don’t benefit from training with others. —Jenessa Connor, Outside, 30 Sep. 2025

After graduating with bachelor’s degree, the former high school dropout is determined to one day find a way to earn another degree in psychology. —Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025

Verb

The calls have been particularly pronounced in the wake of the 2024 election, when Democrats pressed former President Biden, 81 at the time, to drop out of the presidential race following a disastrous debate performance. —Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 8 Oct. 2025

On this issue, the White House and Earle-Sears align -- she's also called for Jones to drop out, and has even cut an ad featuring screenshots of the aforementioned texts. —Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1930, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1875, 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