absentee

[ab-suhn-tee]

noun

1. a person who is absent, especially from work or school.

2. a person who is defined by their absence, such as a landowner who does not live on certain property owned or a voter who is permitted to cast a ballot by mail.

absentee

/ ˌæbsənˈtiː /

noun

1. 1. a person who is absent

   2. ( as modifier )

      an absentee voter

Word History and Origins

Origin of absentee¹

First recorded in 1530–40; absent + -ee

Example Sentences

One notable absentee was Austrian star Marcel Hirscher, now racing in the colours of the Netherlands.

Read more on Barron's

Spencer Johnson and Lance Morris, both capable of high pace, are long-term absentees.

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Those wanting an absentee ballot would be asked to write an ID number on the form.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

States often rely on that signature over time for other purposes, such as validating absentee ballot requests.

Read more on Salon

The absentee totem, the one with the power to make all the major calls he pleases without having the responsibility of justifying them in any public forum.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• hooky player www.thesaurus.com
• no-show 
• truant