A washout describes someone who fails completely at something they tried to do, especially after showing initial promise or potential. When a talented athlete can't handle the pressure of professional sports and quits, people might call them a washout. A student who starts college with big plans but drops out after a few weeks might be called a washout by disappointed observers.

It suggests that the person simply couldn't hold up under the demands placed on them. It's a harsh word, and people usually reserve it for situations where someone had real potential but gave up or fell apart under pressure.

The word can also describe an event that fails because of rain. If your class picnic gets canceled because of a thunderstorm, you might call it a washout. A baseball game postponed because of heavy rain is a rainout or a washout.