Truant Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈtruː.ənt/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A person who deliberately stays away from school or work without permission, or a person who is not present or accounted for, often with a sense of rebelliousness or disobedience.

Examples

• The teacher tried to contact the student, but she had become a truant.
• The boy was shocked to find out he was considered a truant for missing school.
• The principal worried about the increasing number of truants in the school.
• The truant made friends with a group of delinquents who shared his love for adventure.
• The truant spent her days exploring the city, free from the constraints of school.

Synonyms

• Skiver
• Tramp

Antonyms

• Pupil

Additional Information

Truancy often has serious consequences, including low academic performance, social issues, and increased risk of delinquency. Parents and educators often work together to identify and address the root causes of truancy, such as bullying, family problems, or learning difficulties.

Truancy can also be a phase of adolescence, a way for young people to rebel against authority or assert their independence. However, it is essential to understand that truancy is not an acceptable behavior and can have long-term effects on a person’s life.

Etymology

The word “truant” comes from the Old French word “truant,” meaning “to be away” or “to absent oneself.” It has been in use since the 14th century and has undergone little change in its meaning over time.

Usage Notes

Use “truant” to describe a person who is deliberately absent from school or work without permission. In formal contexts, it is often preferred over more colloquial terms like “skiver” or “tramp.”

Cultural References

Truancy has been depicted in various forms of media, including films like “The Breakfast Club” and “The Outsiders,” as well as TV shows like “Riverdale” and “Euphoria.” It has also been a recurring theme in literature, particularly in coming-of-age stories and young adult novels.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

A “truant” can also refer to something that is absent or missing, as in the phrase “a truant member of the family.” Additionally, “playing truant” means to play hooky or skip school, often without permission.

Related Words or Phrases

Other related words include “skiver,” “tramp,” and “delinquent.” Phrases like “playing hooky” and “sneaking out” are also connected to truancy, as they describe behaviors that involve breaking rules or disobeying authority.

Collocations

Truancy often collocates with words like “school,” “work,” “attendance,” and “authorities.” Common collocations include “truant from school,” “truancy rate,” and “persistent truant.”

Frequency of Use

According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, “truant” is used approximately 1.4 times per million words in spoken language and 0.6 times per million words in written language.

Common Misspellings

Common misspellings of “truant” include “grunt,” “gruntl,” and “traunt.” It’s essential to remember that “truant” is a noun, not a verb, and it has a specific meaning in English language.