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

Nationwide, Republicans and people who lean Republican are less likely to favor no-excuse early and absentee voting than Democrats, who largely support the practice, according to the Pew Research Center. —Jonathan Shorman and, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025

Arguably even before this recent spate of absentees, Arsenal needed another first-team forward. —Mark Carey, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025

Some states, like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, can’t begin processing absentee and mail-in ballots until Election Day. —Karina Zaiets, USA TODAY, 14 Nov. 2024

With all of Richmond's absentee and provisional ballots in and counted, President-elect Trump won precinct 106 in Windsor Farms — the city's only Republican precinct — by just 12 votes, Karri reports. —Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 21 Nov. 2024

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