noun

truancy

TROO-uhn-see

Truancy (noun) means the act of staying away from school without permission or a valid reason. Example: “The school introduced text alerts to parents in an effort to cut truancy.”

noun

The act of staying away from school without permission or a valid reason.

"The school introduced text alerts to parents in an effort to cut truancy."

"He was fined after his daughter's truancy reached forty missed days in a year."

Absence from any duty or place where a person is expected to be, without leave.

"Her truancy from board meetings eventually cost her the seat."

How to Use Truancy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMissing school without permission.

When to use it

Formal and often legal or official; teachers and courts use it, pupils themselves rarely do.

Memory tip

Truancy is a noun. To describe the act with a verb, say 'play truant' rather than 'truancy' on its own.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

absenteeism tardiness → expulsion →

Common pairings

persistent truancy truancy rates tackle truancy truancy officer

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The school introduced text alerts to parents in an effort to cut _____.

Etymology

From truant, which came into English from Old French truant meaning 'vagabond' or 'beggar'.

Origin: French

Synonyms

View more →

absenteeism skiving playing truant absence shirking dereliction

Antonyms

attendance

Related Words

lack presence attend absence attendance disappearance turnout negligence

Rhymes for truancy

nancy fancy Yancy clancy vacancy infancy buoyancy vagrancy constancy pregnancy occupancy necromancy

See all rhymes for truancy →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between truancy and an authorised absence?

An authorised absence is one the school has agreed to, such as illness or a medical appointment. Truancy is absence the school has not approved, whether the pupil is hiding it from parents or the parents have kept them off without an accepted reason.

What is the verb form of truancy?

There is no common verb 'to truant' in everyday use. British English says 'to play truant' or informally 'to skive', while American English says 'to play hooky' or 'to skip school'.

Can parents be punished for truancy?

In many countries yes. Because the legal duty is on the parent to ensure a child receives an education, persistent unauthorised absence can lead to fines or prosecution of the parent rather than the child.

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