VocabDictionary

truant

/หˆtruห.ษ™nt/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A student who stays away from school without permission.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œThe school principal sent a letter home to the parents of the habitual truant.โ€
  • โ€œPolice were instructed to look for truants wandering the shopping mall during school hours.โ€
2.adjective

Being away from a place or duty, especially school, without permission; shirking one's responsibilities.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œHe was found truant from his post during the most critical part of the shift.โ€
  • โ€œThe company took disciplinary action against the truant employee.โ€
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for โ€œtruantโ€.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Old French 'truant' (beggar, vagabond), which likely stems from the Gaulish 'trutos' (beggar). By the 16th century, the meaning shifted from a wandering beggar to a student who stays away from school without permission, reflecting the idea of someone 'wandering' or 'idling' instead of fulfilling their duties.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of a 'true ant' that wanders away from the colony line instead of following the others to work.

Frequently Asked Questions About โ€œtruantโ€

1. What is the meaning of โ€œtruantโ€ in English?

In English, truant (noun) is defined as: โ€œA student who stays away from school without permission.โ€.

2. How do you use โ€œtruantโ€ in a sentence?

โ€œThe school principal sent a letter home to the parents of the habitual truant.โ€

3. What are English synonyms of โ€œtruantโ€?

Common synonyms include:absentee,shirker,skiver,vagabond

4. What is the etymology and word origin of โ€œtruantโ€?

Derived from the Old French 'truant' (beggar, vagabond), which likely stems from the Gaulish 'trutos' (beggar). By the 16th century, the meaning shifted from a wandering beggar to a student who stays away from school without permission, reflecting the idea of someone 'wandering' or 'idling' instead of fulfilling their duties.