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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate

absentee

ab-sn-TEE

Absentee (noun) means someone who is not present where they are expected to be, such as work or school. Example: “The teacher marked down three absentees for the day.”

noun
1
Someone who is not present where they are expected to be, such as work or school.
"The teacher marked down three absentees for the day."
2
A property owner or voter who exercises their role remotely rather than in person.
"He submitted an absentee ballot before flying overseas."
"The building was neglected under an absentee landlord."

How to use absentee

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who is missing from where they should be — often used specifically for landlords and voters who act remotely.

Common pairings
absentee ballot absentee landlord absentee voter

Word forms

absentees plural

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The teacher marked down three _____ for the day.

Etymology

Formed from absent plus the suffix -ee, following the same pattern as "employee" or "trainee."

Rhymes for absentee

See all rhymes for absentee →

Frequently asked questions

What does “absentee” mean?

The word “absentee” means someone who is not present where they are expected to be, such as work or school. In plain terms, someone who is missing from where they should be — often used specifically for landlords and voters who act remotely.

How do you pronounce “absentee”?

“Absentee” is pronounced ab-sn-TEE (/ˌæb.sn̩ˈti/ in IPA).

How do you use “absentee” in a sentence?

Here is “absentee” used in a sentence: “The teacher marked down three absentees for the day.”

What part of speech is “absentee”?

“Absentee” is a noun.

How many meanings does “absentee” have?

“Absentee” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who is not present where they are expected to be, such as work or school.

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