truant

American  

[troo-uhnt] / ˈtru ənt /

noun

1. a student who stays away from school without permission.

2. a person who shirks or neglects a duty.

   Synonyms:

   malingerer, loafer, layabout, shirker, idler

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adjective

1. absent from school without permission.

2. neglectful of duty or responsibility; idle.

3. of, relating to, or characteristic of a person who neglects a duty, responsibility, or required attendance.

verb (used without object)

1. to be neglectful of duty, responsibility, or attendence.

truant British  

/ ˈtruːənt /

noun

1. a person who is absent without leave, esp from school

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adjective

1. being or relating to a truant

verb

1. (intr) to play truant

Other Word Forms

• nontruant noun
• truancy noun
• truantly adverb
• untruant adjective

Etymology

Origin of truant

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English from Old French: “vagrant, beggar” from Celtic; compare Welsh truan “wretched, wretch”

Example Sentences

In June 1530 Hans Holbein the Younger was rounded up for being a truant from the Reformed Church and its newfangled Eucharist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

And man, that idea, that image of 22 public integrity lawyers locked in a room like truant children until they knuckle under, and somebody is going to file it.

From Slate • Feb. 14, 2025

Parents who allow their children to be chronically truant are hurting them and hurting us.

From Salon • Sep. 9, 2024

The Omak School District changed its withdrawal procedures in September to keep truant students enrolled, based on OSPI’s statewide guidance.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 27, 2024

A man severe he was and stern to view, I knew him well, and every truant knew.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt

Related Words

• absentee