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's because of Wisconsin's increasingly razor-thin vote margins and recent surges in absentee voting. —Madison Lammert, Journal Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024

As of Monday morning, about 33% of Detroit voters had already turned out to vote either early or absentee. —Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024

So far, nearly 800,000 Kentuckians have submitted their ballots through differing means like absentee or early voting, with many more to follow Tuesday. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Nov. 2024

Whereas in key swing states such as Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, counters are not allowed to start processing absentee and mail-in ballots until Election Day. —Time Staff, TIME, 5 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

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