truant Hear it!

truant definition

tru·ant (tro̵̅o̅′ənt)

noun

  1. Obsolete a lazy, idle person
  2. a pupil who stays away from school without permission
  3. a person who neglects his or her work or duties

Etymology: ME < OFr, beggar, vagabond < Celt, as in Ir trōgán, dim. of truag, wretched

adjective

  1. that is a truant; that plays truant
  2. idle; shiftless
  3. characteristic of a truant; errant; straying

intransitive verb

to be or play truant

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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