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 absents himself or herself, 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

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

How to use absentee in a sentence

Everyone, of course, was too polite to inquire about the embarrassing number of absentees.
There’s Only One Way to Beat ISIS: Work With Assad and Iran|Leslie H. Gelb|October 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“We have a pretty good lead, but who knows where the absentees are going to go,” Moffatt said.
Palin's New Man in Alaska|Shushannah Walshe|August 26, 2010|DAILY BEAST
All persons who have been or are absentees from the United States for the purpose of aiding the rebellion.
Key-Notes of American Liberty|Various
He will also count the number of scholars and teachers present, enter it in the minute-book, and note the absentees.
The Sabbath-School Index|Richard Gay Pardee

The dean is the presiding officer in chapel: his business is to pull up the absentees—no sinecure, it is said.
Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 440|Various
Three million eight hundred thousand remained as caretakers and to pay the bills of the absentees.
Sixes and Sevens|O. Henry
She aids us at all times by the money that her absentees spend amongst us; which is no small part of the rental of that kingdom.
The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. I. (of 12)|Edmund Burke

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 related to absentee

How to use absentee in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for absentee