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

But Buckley also welcomed literary talent to his pages: Joan Didion, Arlene Croce, Garry Wills, George Will, the literary critic Hugh Kenner, and John Leonard, a Harvard dropout who joined National Review at nineteen and went on to become a legendary editor of the Times Book Review. —Louis Menand, New Yorker, 26 May 2025

From dropout to overachiever For most of her life, Mui struggled to fit into society’s mold. —Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 23 May 2025

Verb

Many other local politicians typically also march in the parade, including Mayor Adams, who isn’t running in this month’s Democratic mayoral primary, having dropped out of it in the wake of the Trump administration’s controversial dismissal of his corruption indictment. —Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025

On Thursday, Kehlani reportedly dropped out of a Pride music festival in San Francisco. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 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