absentee

noun

ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē How to pronounce absentee (audio)
: 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
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.
Director Steven Spielberg's body of work is notoriously full of divorced dads, but this film marks a rare attempt at framing the absentee father figure as a sympathetic protagonist, rather than an unsupportive side character or an unseen agent of disappointment. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 May 2025 When Jim inherited ownership in 1997, his family legacy was that of an absentee owner who spent 25 years amassing a 40.7 winning percentage and two playoff victories. Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 22 May 2025 However, staunch supporter of the former supervisor Trustee Andrew Holmes, who had also become a frequent absentee, showed up as did past Henyard ally Trustee Stan Brown. Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025 Trump signed an executive order Monday that seeks to punish states that rely on the postmark date to count absentee or mail-in ballots received after Election Day in federal races. Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 27 Mar. 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 29 May. 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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