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

That comes even as some absentee and overseas military ballots already have been cast. —ABC News, 12 May 2026

Thirty-five nations, however, are committing to all the madness, including previous absentees Moldova, Bulgaria, and Romania, across the usual two semis (May 12 and 14) and grand final (May 16) staged at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle. —Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026

Are there any notable injury absentees? —Colin Millar, New York Times, 11 May 2026

That means ballots are set and in some states early and absentee voting has already begun. —Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 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