absentee

noun

ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē 

: one that is absent: such as

a

: a proprietor that lives away from his or her estate or business

b

: one missing from work or school

absentee adjective

Examples of absentee in a Sentence

There were 10 sick absentees that day.

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump was also asked about Wisconsin Republican Party officials encouraging early voting in 2024 by visiting an in-person absentee location or mailing in an absentee ballot. —Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 16 May 2024

For the primary election in May, in-person, no-excuse absentee voting is available May 16-18. —Louisville Courier-Journal, The Courier-Journal, 18 Apr. 2024

Then a 40-day absentee voting period and up to 29 days of early voting all provide opportunities to weigh in on races up and down the ballot before in-person voting at the polls. —Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024

Wisconsin Republicans have struggled to project a clear message on absentee voting since former President Donald Trump, the 2024 GOP presidential candidate, sought to sow distrust in his election loss in 2020 by blasting the safety of mail-in voting. —Molly Beck, USA TODAY, 18 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French abscenté "person holding property in Ireland but illegally resident in England," from past participle of absenter "to be absent," verbal derivative of absent absent entry 1

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing absentee

• absentee ballot
• absentee landlord

Kids Definition

absentee

noun

ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē 

: a person who is absent

absentee adjective

Legal Definition

absentee

noun

ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē 

: one that is absent: as

a

: a proprietor who lives away from his or her business or estate

b

: a potential party to a legal action who is not present or does not have a representative present at a proceeding

absentee adjective