washout

[wosh-out, wawsh-]

noun

1. a washing out of earth, gravel, etc., by water, as from an embankment or a roadway by heavy rain or by a flash flood.

2. the hole, break, or erosion produced by such a washing out.

3. Aeronautics.,  Also wash-out a warp in an airfoil that gives a decrease in the angle of attack toward the tip.

4. rainout.

5. Informal.,  an utter failure.

6. Informal.,  a person who has failed a course of training or study.

   air force washouts.

Word History and Origins

Origin of washout¹

First recorded in 1870–75; noun use of verb phrase wash out

Example Sentences

There's going to be a washout somewhere, generally Sydney.

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They now have three defeats from three at this World Cup while Australia go top of the standings with a second win to go with a washout.

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"The quarter that we are talking about, we had a very early summer and often that period can be a complete washout," he said.

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It will not be a washout of a weekend though.

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However, it does not necessarily spell a washout Easter weekend with signs of a few drier interludes between the April showers.

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Related Words

• disaster 
• fiasco