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 pair soon began playing music with Chris Mars, a high school dropout who started on guitar before switching to drums. —Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025

Martel was a high school dropout who began her career making performance and street art during the late Eighties and early Nineties. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025

Verb

But after current New York City Mayor Eric Adams dropped out of the race this week, Cuomo and Sliwa are expected to benefit from those who supported the mayor, a recent poll from CBS News indicates. —Amie Parnes, The Hill, 1 Oct. 2025

Andrew Garfield was originally cast as the creature but dropped out in January 2024 due to scheduling conflicts. —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 1 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