absentee

[ ab-suhn-tee ]

/ ˌæb sənˈti /

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See synonyms for: absentee / absentees on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of absentee

First recorded in 1530–40; absent + -ee

Words nearby absentee

abseil, absence, Absence makes the heart grow fonder, absence seizure, absent, absentee, absentee ballot, absenteeism, absentee landlord, absentee vote, absente reo

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use absentee in a sentence

A voter returning an absentee ballot must insert the ballot into the secrecy envelope, and then insert that envelope into a larger envelope that carries the mailing address and postage.
Philadelphia election official warns ‘naked ballots’ may invalidate up to 100,000 votes|Michelle Lee|September 25, 2020|Washington Post
In keeping with the national trend, a record number of Ohio’s nearly 8 million registered voters are expected to cast absentee ballots in November to avoid spreading the coronavirus at the polls.
Before Limiting Ballot Drop Boxes to One Per County, Top Ohio Election Officials Secretly Consulted Promoter of Debunked Voting Fraud Fears|by Mike Spies and Jake Pearson|September 24, 2020|ProPublica
Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia already allowed anyone to vote absentee.
Vote by mail: Which states allow absentee voting|Kate Rabinowitz, Brittany Mayes|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
You may find other websites that claim to show the early voting and absentee ballot rules for your state, but it’s super-important to double-check that information on your state’s website.
Why you should vote as early as possible (and how to do it)|John Kennedy|September 17, 2020|Popular-Science

New Hampshire only accepts requests for absentee ballots by mail.
It’s time to check your voter registration—here’s how|John Kennedy|September 10, 2020|Popular-Science
The ground game in Iowa has traditionally revolved around an absentee ballot program.
Fight Over the Ground Game in Iowa Could Swing the Senate|Ben Jacobs|August 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An absentee father is loitering about with his son and namesake, Mason Jr., at a deserted concert hall.
The Making of ‘Boyhood’: Richard Linklater’s 12-Year Journey to Create An American Masterpiece|Marlow Stern|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ware went to court claiming a number of irregularities, including issues with hundreds of absentee ballots.
Could Chris McDaniel Get A Do-Over In The Mississippi Senate Race?|Ben Jacobs|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Perry said most of the absentee ballots questioned in the mayoral race had six or seven different issues.
Could Chris McDaniel Get A Do-Over In The Mississippi Senate Race?|Ben Jacobs|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In fact, over 117,000 people have already voted absentee and among those, Republicans have an advantage of over 4,500.
Florida’s Midterm Warm Up|Ben Jacobs|March 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If the roll of Mr. Morton's school had been called that evening at that meeting, not a single absentee would have been reported.
Harper's Young People, November 30, 1880|Various
A tax had been proposed in the Irish Parliament of two shillings in the pound on the estates of absentee landlords.
Private Letters of Edward Gibbon (1753-1794) Volume 1 (of 2)|Edward Gibbon
The other absentee was Richie Moniplies, whose conduct for some time past had been extremely mysterious.
The Fortunes of Nigel|Sir Walter Scott
Absenteeism is no new complaint; Adam Smith discussed proposals for an absentee-tax.
The Contemporary Review, Volume 36, November 1879|Various
This he continued, speaking for any absentee on any subject, and tutoring rich laggards for a consideration.
Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great - Volume 12|Elbert Hubbard

British Dictionary definitions for absentee

absentee

/ (ˌæbsənˈtiː) /

noun

a person who is absent
(as modifier)an absentee voter

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

absentee

Origin of absentee

Words nearby absentee

Words related to absentee

How to use absentee in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for absentee