absentee

noun

ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē 

: one that is absent: such as

a

: a proprietor that lives away from his or her estate or business

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

Significant absentees included Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Yunus Musah. —Adam Crafton, New York Times, 10 July 2025

According to State Elections Enforcement Commission staff, Joyce told state investigators that she was compensated during those 2024 elections for the sole purpose of soliciting absentee votes — which is a violation of state law. —Dave Altimari, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2025

The process is similar to the way absentee or drop-box ballots are counted. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 25 June 2025

That absentee drop boxes at early voting locations be under video surveillance outside of voting hours. —Dan Gooding gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025

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