absentee

American  

[ab-suhn-tee] / ˌæb sənˈti /

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 British  

/ ˌæbsənˈtiː /

noun

1. 1. a person who is absent

   2. ( as modifier )

      an absentee voter

---

Etymology

Origin of absentee

First recorded in 1530–40; absent + -ee

Example Sentences

He wrote in his autobiography that they had split because she had "enough of the absentee husband, enough of the selfishness and the black moods".

From BBC

If early voting is fine, and if the counting process can go on for days after the polls close, then why not the arrival of absentee ballots that were marked and mailed on time?

From The Wall Street Journal

An absentee voter would send in a copy of an ID, or else an affidavit that it can’t be obtained after “reasonable efforts.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Nevertheless, after talking it over with Willa, the two tie the knot anyway, allocating the appropriate level of importance to his absentee father’s demise.

From Salon

“WhenI was taking the absentee notes to the office this morning, I saw a man drive her in late,” I said.

From Literature

Related Words

• hooky player
• no-show
• truant