truant

[ troo-uhnt ]

noun

1. a student who stays away from school without permission.
2. a person who shirks or neglects a duty.

   Synonyms: malingerer, loafer, layabout, shirker, idler

adjective

1. absent from school without permission.
2. neglectful of duty or responsibility; idle.
3. of, relating to, or characteristic of a person who neglects a duty, responsibility, or required attendance.

verb (used without object)

1. to be neglectful of duty, responsibility, or attendence.

truant

/ ˈtruːənt /

noun

1. a person who is absent without leave, esp from school

adjective

1. being or relating to a truant

verb

1. intr to play truant

Derived Forms

• ˈtruancy, noun

Other Words From

• truant·ly adverb
• non·truant noun adjective
• un·truant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of truant¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English from Old French: “vagrant, beggar” from Celtic; compare Welsh truan “wretched, wretch”

Word History and Origins

Origin of truant¹

C13: from Old French: vagabond, probably of Celtic origin; compare Welsh truan miserable, Old Irish trōg wretched