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

Figures compiled by firm L2 Data suggested that, as of Thursday, Democrats had a 15-point edge over Republicans in early and absentee voting. —Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2026

Mulligan starred opposite Ryan Gosling; Issac played her absentee husband. —Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026

Presler is the founder of Early Vote Action, a Republican grassroots organization whose mission is to increase early voting and absentee participation among Republican voters as part of a larger effort to increase conservative turnout. —Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2026

While the total number of absentee voters will likely tick up to reflect those last-minute returns, early voting is lagging previous spring elections. —Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 8 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