Dropping
/ˈdrɒpɪŋ/
Definitions
5 meaningsTo allow something to fall; to release or let fall.
/ˈdrɒpɪŋ/
To let something fall unintentionally or intentionally
He dropped the vase accidentally.
💡 Simply: Think about when you accidentally let your ice cream cone slip out of your hand. That's dropping something! It means letting go and watching it fall.
👶 For kids: To let something fall on the ground on purpose or by accident.
More Examples
She is dropping off the kids at school.
The temperature is dropping drastically.
How It's Used
"She is dropping the book."
"He dropped the ball during the game."
To decrease in amount, number, or level.
/ˈdrɒpɪŋ/
To decrease or fall to a lower level
The price of gas is dropping.
💡 Simply: Think of the price of something going down, or the temperature getting colder. That's something dropping, meaning it's becoming less.
👶 For kids: When something is getting smaller or going down.
More Examples
My grades are dropping.
The number of visitors has dropped significantly.
How It's Used
"The stock market is dropping."
"The temperature is dropping."
To stop doing or being involved in something.
/ˈdrɒpɪŋ/
To cease doing something or participating
He dropped out of college.
💡 Simply: Like quitting a team or stopping a habit. It means you're no longer involved.
👶 For kids: To stop doing something.
More Examples
She dropped the subject.
They are dropping their membership.
How It's Used
"He dropped out of the race."
"She dropped her friends."
An instance of something falling, or a decrease.
/ˈdrɒpɪŋ/
An act or instance of dropping something.
The drop in the stock market was unexpected.
💡 Simply: Think of when you hear something fall; that sound is also called a drop. It can also be like a decrease.
👶 For kids: When something falls on the ground or goes down.
More Examples
The sudden drop in temperature surprised everyone.
She had a drop in her sales.
How It's Used
"The player's drop was the reason they lost."
"They had a sudden drop in sales."
The excrement of animals, especially birds and other livestock.
/ˈdrɒpɪŋ/
Animal waste
The barn needed cleaning because of the droppings.
💡 Simply: What animals leave behind when they go to the bathroom. Like bird poop.
👶 For kids: Animal poop.
More Examples
Chicken droppings can be used as fertilizer.
She tried to avoid stepping in dog droppings on the sidewalk.
How It's Used
"The farmer collected the chicken droppings to use as fertilizer."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
drop by
To visit someone informally.
"I will drop by your place later."
drop out
To withdraw from something.
"He dropped out of school."
drop dead
Used to express anger, annoyance, or disbelief.
"Drop dead, you idiot!"
From Middle English *droppen, from Old English *dropian, from Proto-Germanic *druppōną. Cognate with Dutch druppelen, German tropfen.
The word 'drop' has been in use since the Old English period, reflecting the basic concept of falling or a small quantity of liquid. It has gradually expanded in meaning over time.
Memory tip
Imagine letting a heavy object fall – dropping it!
Word Origin
"to fall, let fall"