truancy
TROO-un-see
/ˈtruː.ən.si/
The action of staying away from school or duty without good reason or permission.
Specifically refers to unauthorized absence from mandatory education.
The story behind the word. Traced to Old French truand ('beggar' or 'vagabond'), likely of Celtic origin. By the late 16th century in English, 'playing the truant' meant wandering away from school or duty without permission.
Word relationships
- absenteeism: 'Absenteeism' applies to workplaces and schools generally, whereas 'truancy' specifically implies unauthorized school-skipping.
- skipping: 'Skipping' is informal; 'truancy' is the official legal and administrative term.
- attendance: 'Attendance' is being present at school.
- punctuality: 'Punctuality' means being present on time.
Commonly confused with
- transience: 'Transience' means impermanence; 'truancy' is unexcused school absence.
Word family
- truant (noun): A student who stays away from school without leave.
Collocations
- chronic truancy
- truancy rate
- combat truancy
- truancy officer
Idioms & expressions
- play truant
Example sentences
- "The school board implemented a new tracking program to combat chronic truancy." Education Administration
- "Rates of truancy often drop when schools offer engaging after-school programs." Social Work
Memory hook
True that you aren't in class — that's truancy. Wandering away from school without leave.
When not to use
Do not use for excused medical leave or official planned vacations.
Fun facts
- In 19th-century Britain, 'truant catching' was an official city profession where officers searched public markets for missing children.
Related words
Explore more words
absenteeism, loitering, curfew violation, unauthorized, extracurricular, desertion
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