absentee

noun

ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē How to pronounce absentee (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Or, like teenager Kashmira, to escape the sight of her abusive and absentee father’s genetics in the mirror every morning. Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025 Much of the film’s runtime is dedicated to a time-hopping morality tale in the vein of A Christmas Carol, but even these sections build to horrific moments as alcoholic absentee father David Holm (Victor Sjöström) realizes the true consequences of his selfish actions. Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025 An election calendar must establish dates for a primary, runoff election and final election, as well as accommodate early and absentee voting and sending ballots to overseas voters — like the military — as required by state and federal voting laws. John Lynch, Arkansas Online, 22 Oct. 2025 All of those ballots, except the 2016 general election, were cast absentee. Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for absentee

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of absentee was in 1537

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Absentee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absentee. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

absentee

noun
ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē How to pronounce absentee (audio)
: a person who is absent
absentee adjective

Legal Definition

absentee

noun
ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē How to pronounce absentee (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on absentee

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