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

The rule is to help deal with absentees for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which takes place across December and January. —Holly Shand, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025

And her philandering absentee father, Eddie (Woody Harrelson), has decided to pop his head back into her life and beg forgiveness. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025

Election data show that early and absentee voting played a decisive role. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025

Iowa built a data system to catch absentee patterns early. —Jon England, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 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