# drop

/ˈdɹɑp/ (US) · /dɹˈɒp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/drop
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to let fall

verb · CEFR A2

to let something fall from your hand or from a higher place.

For teachers: to release an object so that it falls under the influence of gravity; can be intentional or accidental.

- Be careful not to drop that glass on the hard floor.
- The hiker accidentally dropped his compass into the ravine, leaving the group without a reliable way to navigate back to camp.

Usage: Transitive verb taking a direct object.

### 2. to decrease

verb · CEFR B1

to go down in amount, price, or temperature.

For teachers: to decrease in value, volume, or intensity. Often used intransitively.

- The temperature will drop tonight, so wear a warm coat.
- Stock prices dropped sharply following the announcement of the new trade regulations, causing widespread concern among investors.

Usage: Commonly used as an intransitive verb.

### 3. to stop or quit

verb · CEFR B2

to stop doing something or stop talking about a subject.

For teachers: to cease a particular activity, discussion, or relationship.

- I decided to drop the subject because we were starting to argue.
- After three months of poor results, the company decided to drop the project entirely and focus on their core products.

### 4. to release a product

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to release a new song, album, or product for people to buy or see.

For teachers: to release a creative work or product to the public market. Highly common in digital contexts.

- The band is going to drop their new album this Friday.
- The tech giant is expected to drop a surprise software update later this evening to address the security vulnerabilities.

Usage: Can be used both transitively and intransitively.

### 5. to mention casually

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to mention a name or a fact casually in a conversation to impress people.

For teachers: to mention something, especially a famous person's name, in an incidental way to gain social status.

- He likes to drop the names of famous actors he has met.
- During the interview, she managed to drop the fact that she had studied at Oxford, hoping it would give her an edge.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'name-dropping'.

### 6. liquid globule

noun · CEFR A2

a very small, round amount of liquid.

For teachers: a small quantity of liquid that forms a spherical shape.

- A few drops of rain fell on my face.
- The chemist added the reagent one drop at a time to ensure the reaction remained stable.

### 7. a fall or decrease

noun · CEFR B1

a reduction in the amount or level of something.

For teachers: a decline or reduction in quantity, value, or degree.

- There has been a big drop in crime this year.
- The sudden drop in pressure indicated that a severe storm was approaching the coast.

### 8. vertical distance

noun · CEFR B2

the distance from a high place down to a lower place.

For teachers: the vertical distance from a higher level to a lower one.

- It is a sixty-foot drop from the top of the cliff to the water.
- The architect warned that the sheer drop from the balcony required a reinforced safety railing to meet building codes.

### 9. music climax

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

the part of a dance song where the beat and bass come back strongly.

For teachers: the point in an electronic dance music track where a build-up resolves into a heavy bassline or beat.

- The crowd went wild when the drop finally happened.
- The producer spent hours perfecting the tension in the bridge to ensure the drop would have maximum impact on the dance floor.

## Examples

- A single drop of rain hits the window.
- There was a sharp drop in temperature overnight, so we turned on the heat.
- The latest data revealed a significant drop in consumer confidence, prompting economists to revise their forecasts for the upcoming quarter.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.