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

That the total number of votes, as well as the specific number of early and absentee votes, be reported daily and made available on a website or in a public place accessible 24 hours a day to the public. —Dan Gooding gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025

Search by school name or sort data by school, enrollment or absentee rates. —Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 5 June 2025

The new absentees, at least from an open workout standpoint, were wideout Jimmy Horn Jr., linebacker Christian Rozeboom, outside linebacker D.J. Johnson, defensive end Tershawn Wharton, and defensive tackle Derrick Brown. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2025

The other absentee was Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll, who only arrived in Monaco on Thursday. —Luke Smith, New York Times, 22 May 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