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

Romeo Lavia is also a significant (and ongoing) absentee. —Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

In addition to Woods, other notable absentees included Jack Nicklaus and this week citing injury. —Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025

Senate Bill 284, authored by Byrne, would shorten in-person absentee voting to 7 days. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025

The Georgia law, among other things, required a photo ID to vote absentee by mail, cut the period to request an absentee ballot and placed limits on ballot drop boxes. —Deborah Barfield Berry, USA Today, 31 Mar. 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