Dropout

/ˈdrɒpaʊt/

nounmedium📊CommonPerson
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A person who withdraws from a school, university, or other course of study.

/ˈdrɒpaʊt/

nounneutralmedium
Person

A person who abandons a course of study or activity.

The high school has a program to help potential dropouts.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're taking a really tough class, and it's just too hard. A dropout is someone who decides to quit that class and no longer attends.

👶 For kids: A dropout is someone who stops going to school or a class.

More Examples

2

He was a dropout but later earned his GED.

3

The dropout rate in the inner city is alarmingly high.

How It's Used

Education

"The school is trying to reduce its dropout rate."

Society

"Many dropouts face challenges finding employment."

2

The act of withdrawing from a course of study or activity.

/ˈdrɒpaʊt/

nounneutralmedium
Action

The act of dropping out.

The dropout from college was a big disappointment to his parents.

💡 Simply: The act of 'dropout' is like the moment someone decides they are not going to be a student any more.

👶 For kids: When you're a dropout, you've stopped going to school or a class.

More Examples

2

The high dropout rate is a major concern.

3

The causes of dropout are often complex.

How It's Used

Education

"The school reported a significant dropout problem this year."

Tip:The *act of dropping out* is the process itself.

Synonyms & Antonyms

From 'drop' + 'out'. Originated in the mid-20th century in the US, initially referring to students who leave school before graduating.

The term gained prominence in the mid-20th century, particularly related to high school and college students in the United States.

Memory tip

Imagine a person *dropping out* of a class – leaving, no longer participating.

Word Origin

LanguageEnglish
Original meaning

"To fall, to cease, to discontinue."

high dropout rateschool dropoutcollege dropoutpotential dropout

Common misspellings

drop outdrop-out

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written