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

Are there any notable injury absentees? —Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 22 May 2026

Sydney Sweeney, Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet were also among the surprising absentees. —Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 20 May 2026

Some absentee and overseas military votes that already have been cast for Congress would be tossed out. —ABC News, 19 May 2026

Is God Is is a story about twin sisters Racine (Kara Young) and Anaia (Mallori Johnson), tasked with killing their abusive, absentee father at the request of their mother. —Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 19 May 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