Drop
/drɒp/
Definitions
5 meaningsTo fall or descend freely under the force of gravity; to let something fall intentionally or unintentionally.
/drɒp/
To fall or allow something to fall.
She dropped the book on the floor.
💡 Simply: When you drop something, it's like gravity takes over, and it goes *thump* on the floor! Whether you did it on purpose, or it slipped out of your hand, it's a drop.
👶 For kids: To let something go and it falls down.
More Examples
The temperature is expected to drop tonight.
He dropped out of the race due to an injury.
How It's Used
"I dropped my keys."
"He dropped the ball."
To diminish; to become less.
/drɒp/
To decrease.
The price of oil has dropped significantly.
💡 Simply: Imagine the price of your favorite toy going down - that's a price drop! It means something is getting smaller, less, or going lower.
👶 For kids: To go down.
More Examples
The number of participants dropped after the first round.
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
How It's Used
"The stock market dropped."
"The temperature dropped suddenly."
A small quantity of liquid.
/drɒp/
Add a drop of lemon juice to the tea.
💡 Simply: A drop is like a tiny bit of water, like when you see a single tear fall from your eye, or when you drip water out of a faucet.
👶 For kids: A little bit of liquid.
More Examples
She felt a drop of rain on her hand.
The doctor prescribed eye drops.
How It's Used
"Administer two drops of eye solution."
"Add a drop of vanilla extract."
A sudden decline or decrease.
/drɒp/
A fall or decline.
There was a significant drop in sales.
💡 Simply: Sometimes things go down fast! A drop is like a sudden change, like when something falls or gets less of something.
👶 For kids: When something goes down fast.
More Examples
The athlete suffered a drop in performance.
The mountain climber survived a dangerous drop.
How It's Used
"A sudden drop in the stock market."
"He took a hard drop after the tackle."
The act of delivering or releasing something.
/drɒp/
The act of releasing or delivering something.
The air force conducted a food drop.
💡 Simply: Sometimes things are 'dropped off' – like leaving mail or packages! The 'drop' is the moment of handing it over.
👶 For kids: Leaving something at a place.
More Examples
The store had a drop-off box for donations.
The parachute drop was successful.
How It's Used
"A supply drop was planned."
"A package drop-off area."
Idioms & expressions
Drop someone a line
To write a short note or letter to someone.
"Drop me a line when you get to your destination."
Drop dead
To die suddenly, often used as an exclamation of anger or frustration.
"If you do that again, I swear I'll drop dead!"
The drop of a hat
Immediately, without hesitation; at a moment's notice.
"He would leave for Europe at the drop of a hat."
Drop the ball
To make a mistake or fail, especially by not doing something you are responsible for.
"The team dropped the ball in the final quarter of the game."
From Old English *drōpan* (to drip, fall), related to Dutch *druppen* and German *tropfen*. The word reflects the action of something falling or dripping.
The word 'drop' has been used since Old English times to signify a falling or dripping action. It has maintained its core meaning with some semantic extensions.