truant
Truant (noun) means a student who stays away from school without permission. Example: “The truant was caught hiding out at the arcade during school hours.”
How to use truant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who skips school without permission, or the act of doing so.
Word forms
truanted past tense, truants plural, truants singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ was caught hiding out at the arcade during school hours.
Etymology
From Old French truant, "beggar" or "vagabond," probably of Celtic origin — the word originally described any wandering idler, long before it narrowed to mean a school-skipper.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for truant
See all rhymes for truant →Frequently asked questions
What does “truant” mean?
The word “truant” means a student who stays away from school without permission. In plain terms, someone who skips school without permission, or the act of doing so.
How do you pronounce “truant”?
“Truant” is pronounced TROO-uhnt (/ˈtɹuənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “truant” in a sentence?
Here is “truant” used in a sentence: “The truant was caught hiding out at the arcade during school hours.”
What part of speech is “truant”?
Depending on how it is used, “truant” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “truant” come from?
The word “truant” comes from Old French. From Old French truant, "beggar" or "vagabond," probably of Celtic origin — the word originally described any wandering idler, long before it narrowed to mean a school-skipper.
How many meanings does “truant” have?
“Truant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a student who stays away from school without permission.