absentee

noun

ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē How to pronounce absentee (audio)
: one that is absent: such as
a
: a proprietor of an estate or business who lives far away from it and rarely visits it
b
: one missing from work or school
absentee adjective

Examples of absentee in a Sentence

There were 10 sick absentees that day.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Israel does not allow most citizens to vote absentee from abroad, so many were expected to fly in, including thousands living in the United States. — Lia Lapidot Aaron Boxerman and Lia Lapidot, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2026 Israelis are so concerned about their country's future that tens of thousands of expats are expected to fly back to cast ballots, since Israel does not allow absentee voting. — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026 The first two days of no-excuse absentee voting has seen between 900 and 1,000 voters respectively, Hershey said. — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026 More than 60% of those ballots were submitted through absentee voting or early in-person voting. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for absentee

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French abscenté "person holding property in Ireland but illegally resident in England," from past participle of absenter "to be absent," verbal derivative of absent absent entry 1

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of absentee was in 1537

Phrases Containing absentee

Rhymes for absentee

See All Rhymes for absentee

Browse Nearby Words

absentation
absentee
absentee ballot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Absentee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absentee. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

absentee

noun
ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē How to pronounce absentee (audio)
: a person who is absent
absentee adjective

Legal Definition

absentee

noun
ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē How to pronounce absentee (audio)
: one that is absent: as
a
: a proprietor who lives away from his or her business or estate
b
: a potential party to a legal action who is not present or does not have a representative present at a proceeding
absentee adjective
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