truancy

[ troo-uhn-see ]

noun

, plural tru·an·cies.

1. the act or state of being truant.
2. an instance of being truant:

   His parents were questioned about his many truancies.

Other Words From

• non·truan·cy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of truancy¹

First recorded in 1775–85; tru(ant) + -ancy

Example Sentences

I would hate to see on September 1st that — even 2 percent of students — just do not want to return and do not have a medical condition and the only option for them is truancy.

From Washington Post

Incorrigibility, like truancy or running away, is a status offense, deemed a violation of the law only because it is committed by a minor.

From ProPublica

The sheriff charged them with truancy, and then he and his officers ran them out of town.

From The Daily Beast

For example, in 2008, Los Angeles issued 12,000 fines for truancy.

From The Daily Beast

In contrast, other jurisdictions only fine students for truancy, not the parents.

From The Daily Beast

Since the year 2000, 1,600 people have been jailed in Berks County alone for failing to pay truancy fines.

From The Daily Beast

Some of the commentators on the Toronto Life site note that it is peculiar that truancy laws weren't enforced in this situation.

From The Daily Beast

Then there is the lure of the water, which explains more than half his school truancy during the open season.

From Project Gutenberg

With the help of the principal of the school make a study of some specific cases of truancy.

From Project Gutenberg

With even, passionless voice, with almost no sign of penitence, he told her the story of the day's truancy.

From Project Gutenberg

The thought of Persis came to him now with the charm of all three—honey, truancy to duty, and danger.

From Project Gutenberg

We learn the probable reason for the lads truancy from Beethovens statement at the examination in court on December 11th.

From Project Gutenberg