ENGLISH
REFERENCE

dropout

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈdɹɑˌpaʊt// UK //dɹˈɒpaʊt// dropout

n. a person who leaves school, college, or a training program before they have finished it. It can also mean the act of stopping something before it is complete.

n. a person who withdraws from an educational institution or a competitive process before completion. In technical contexts, refers to a momentary loss of signal or power.


SIMPLE

He became a successful entrepreneur after being a college dropout.

CONTEXTUAL

The university implemented new mentoring programs to reduce the high dropout rate among first-year engineering students.

COMPLEX

While some view the high school dropout as a failure of the individual, sociologists often point to systemic economic barriers that force students into the workforce prematurely.

Origin

Deverbal from drop out.

Usage

Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'dropout rate' or 'dropout student'.

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