These terms are often used loosely, but they actually refer to distinct stages and processes in a domain's lifecycle after its owner stops renewing it.
Expired Refers to the Initial Lapse in Renewal
This is the point where the registration period ends without renewal, triggering the various grace and redemption periods that follow.
Deleted Typically Means the Domain Has Been Fully Released
After the full lapse process completes, a domain is removed from the registry and becomes available for general registration again.
Dropped Often Refers to the Moment of Public Availability
This term is commonly used to describe the specific point when a domain becomes available to catch, often the focus of competitive drop-catching services.
Next step: Use the Wayback Expired Domains to research a domain's status and history regardless of which stage it's currently in.