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Truant: meaning, definitions and examples

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truant

 

[ˈtruːənt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

school

A student who stays away from school without permission.

Synonyms

absentee, bunk-off, skipper.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
truant

This word is usually used to describe a student who stays away from school without permission. It often carries a negative connotation.

  • The school is trying to reduce the number of truants.
  • He was caught truanting and had to explain himself to the principal.
absentee

Use this term when referring to someone who is not present, especially in a formal setting like work or a meeting. It doesn't necessarily have a negative connotation.

  • The absentee will need to provide a doctor's note.
  • We need to track the reasons for the absentees in our department.
bunk-off

This is a British informal term for skipping school or work. It has a casual tone and can have a slightly rebellious or humorous connotation.

  • They decided to bunk off school and go to the beach.
  • I can't believe they bunked off work for a football match!
skipper

This informal term is often used to describe someone who skips school or work. It carries a light-hearted and casual tone.

  • He was known as a bit of a skipper in his school days.
  • The teacher caught the skippers hiding in the park.

Examples of usage

  • The teacher called the parents of the truant student.
  • Truancy rates have been increasing in the district.
Context #2 | Adjective

behavior

Characteristic of a truant; shirking or avoiding responsibility or obligation.

Synonyms

delinquent, irresponsible, neglectful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
truant

This word is often used to describe someone, typically a student, who is absent from school without permission. It implies skipping school intentionally.

  • The teacher was concerned about the number of students playing truant
  • If you keep being truant, you might get into serious trouble
irresponsible

This word describes someone who fails to think about the consequences of their actions or neglects their duties. It is quite broad and can apply to various situations.

  • Leaving the kids alone was an irresponsible decision
  • She's often criticized for her irresponsible spending habits
neglectful

This word is used to describe someone who fails to care for or attend to their responsibilities or others' needs. It often implies a consistent pattern of neglect.

  • The neglectful parent was reported to social services
  • His neglectful attitude towards his job eventually got him fired
delinquent

This term is usually applied to a young person who engages in illegal or bad behavior. It has a strong negative connotation.

  • The police arrested several delinquents in the neighborhood
  • He was labeled a juvenile delinquent after numerous run-ins with the law

Examples of usage

  • His truant behavior resulted in failing grades.
  • She was punished for her truant attitude towards work.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'truant' comes from the Middle French word 'truant,' meaning 'wandering' or 'roaming.'
  • It originally described someone who was idle or lazy, which transformed over time into its current school-related meaning.
  • In Old French, it was derived from 'truand,' which suggests someone who is a vagabond or delinquent.

Education

  • Chronic truancy can negatively impact a student's academic performance and social development.
  • Different jurisdictions have various laws regarding truancy, often involving fines or mandatory counseling for guardians.
  • Truancy often correlates with underlying issues such as bullying, family problems, or learning disabilities.

Psychology

  • Studies show that students who skip school frequently may exhibit higher levels of stress and anxiety.
  • Truant behavior is sometimes linked to higher rates of delinquency in adolescence due to a lack of supervision.
  • Motivation plays a crucial role; students may become truants if they find school unengaging or irrelevant to their interests.

Pop Culture

  • The theme of truancy is often depicted in films and literature, highlighting youth rebellion, such as in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off.'
  • Truants have been romanticized in pop culture, seen as adventurous figures who challenge authority.
  • The term also appears in various songs that address themes of escaping responsibilities and seeking freedom.

Legal Perspectives

  • Many countries have laws requiring parents to ensure their children attend school, with penalties for non-compliance.
  • Family courts may intervene when a child becomes chronically truant, sometimes leading to legal action against parents.
  • Tracking truancy is an important measure for schools and governments to address educational disparities.

Translations

Translations of the word "truant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fujão

🇮🇳 अनुपस्थित

🇩🇪 Schulschwänzer

🇮🇩 bolos

🇺🇦 прогульник

🇵🇱 wagarowicz

🇯🇵 サボり

🇫🇷 absentéiste

🇪🇸 ausente

🇹🇷 dalgacı

🇰🇷 무단 결석자

🇸🇦 متغيب

🇨🇿 záškolák

🇸🇰 záškolák

🇨🇳 逃学者

🇸🇮 špricar

🇮🇸 skólastrákur

🇰🇿 мектептен қашатын

🇬🇪 გამომცდელი

🇦🇿 qaçqın

🇲🇽 ausente

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,432, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.