Truant: meaning, definitions and examples

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truant

 

[ ˈtruːənt ]

Noun / Adjective
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.

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

Etymology

The word 'truant' originated from the Latin word 'truanus', meaning 'idle' or 'lazy'. It first appeared in English in the 15th century. Truancy has been a concern for educators for centuries, as students skipping school can lead to academic problems and social issues. Efforts to address truancy include interventions, support programs, and penalties for both students and parents.

See also: truancy, truantry.

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.