absentee

noun

ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē 

: one that is absent: such as

a

: a proprietor of an estate or business who lives far away from it and rarely visits it

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

Elections officials from more than three-quarters of Indiana’s 92 counties are expected to include all or nearly all the results of absentee and early voting in their first vote update of the night. — Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026

Nearly 1 million Minnesotans cast absentee or mail ballots before Election Day, the most ever before an election in a non-presidential year, the secretary of state's office said. — Beret Leone, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

The first results reported by local boards of elections will be absentee by mail ballots and in-person early votes. — Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2026

This year fewer people are voting absentee compared with 2022. — Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 3 Nov. 2026

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

Rhymes for absentee

• agree
• allee
• banshee
• beastly
• bibi
• bowsprit
• carefree
• cerci
• chablis
• cowpea
• crappie
• crappy

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