truant

1 of 3

noun

tru·​ant ˈtrü-ənt How to pronounce truant (audio)
: one who shirks duty
especially : one who stays out of school without permission

truant

2 of 3

adjective

1
: shirking responsibility
2
: being, resembling, or characteristic of a truant

truant

3 of 3

verb

truanted; truanting; truants

intransitive verb

: to idle away time especially while playing truant

Examples of truant in a Sentence

Noun an increasing number of truants
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The trend of workplace truants has been an ongoing problem for the French economy. Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 29 Oct. 2024 So, if Trump tries to cancel the debate or just doesn’t show up, the Biden team could prepare one of his sparring partners to be onstage, unofficially representing the truant. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 21 June 2024
Adjective
Chronic absenteeism: House Bill 1201 prohibits a school from expelling or suspending a student who’s been chronically absent or habitually truant. Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025 The bill also addresses children and teens who are habitually truant. Jessica Babb, Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
The program helps truant students get back on track. Byron Pitts, ABC News, 16 Nov. 2023 In Los Angeles, school superintendent Alberto Carvalho has gone door to door; in Alabama, signs stressing the importance of attendance are displayed on front lawns; in Philadelphia, local programs have been established that send out text messages to potentially truant youths' parents. Lauren Lantry, ABC News, 16 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for truant

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, vagabond, idler, from Anglo-French, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish trógán wretch, trúag wretched

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1580, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of truant was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Truant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truant. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

truant

noun
tru·​ant
ˈtrü-ənt
1
: a person who neglects duty
2
: a student who stays out of school without permission
truant adjective

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