absentee

/ˌˈæbsənˌti/

Other forms: absentees

An absentee is someone who doesn't show up when she's supposed to. A high school student who's an absentee too often may end up failing some classes.

If the star player of your basketball team doesn't show up for the big game, she's an absentee. Likewise, if you skip work to go to the beach on a beautiful day, your boss will consider you an absentee. If you fill out an absentee ballot before an election, you're using a special form for voters who won't be physically present at the polls. The Latin root is absentem, "be away from."

Definitions of absentee

1. noun

   one who is missing from a certain place, such as school or work
   types:

   AWOL, awol

   one who is away or absent without leave

   defaulter

   someone who fails to make a required appearance in court

   exile, expat, expatriate

   a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country

   hooky player, truant

   one who is absent from school without permission

   prodigal

   someone who returns after a long absence characterized by reckless behavior

   refugee

   an exile who flees for safety

   remittance man

   an exile living on money sent from home

   type of:

   traveler, traveller

   a person who changes location