Absentee
/ˈæbˈsɛntiː/
nounBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meaning
Definitions
1
A person who is not present, especially at work or school.
/ˈæbˈsɛntiː/
nounneutralBeginner
General
A person who is absent
He was an absentee landlord, rarely visiting his properties.
💡 Simply: Someone who is not there.
More Examples
2
Many students were absent during the snowstorm.
How It's Used
Workplace
"The absentee rate was high due to the flu."
Education
"The teacher took attendance and noted several absentees."
From Middle French *absent*, present participle of *absenter* 'to be absent'. From Latin *absens* 'away, absent', from *abs* 'from' + *esse* 'to be'.
In early English, 'absentee' primarily referred to individuals absent from government or other official duties. It later expanded to encompass absences from any social, professional, or educational setting.
Memory tip
Absent-minded person, missing from class or work.
Practice
Base: absent
abcentabsesteeabsentiabsente
Usage
10%Spoken
90%Written