Truant Definition, Usage & Related Phrases Explained

Meaning 1：skip school without permission (truant)

truant 🔊

/ˈtruːənt/

vi.

To miss school without telling anyone or getting permission.

Truant definition illustrated: a student skipping school alone outside closed gates

skip school without permission 🔊

➕

/skɪp skuːl wɪðˈaʊt pərˈmɪʃən/

vi.

To intentionally miss school without obtaining approval or informing authorities.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'truant', meaning beggar or vagrant.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'true ant' – ants work hard, truants skip work (school).

📖 Example

Tom didn't want to take the math test, so he decided to truant and go to the park instead. 🔊 Tom avoided the math test by skipping school and going to the park.

🔗 Collocations

play truant – to be absent from school without permission

truant from school – to miss school without authorization

habitual truant – a student who frequently skips school without reason

🔄 Synonyms

skip school (v.) – to not attend school intentionally without permission

play hooky (v.) – to be absent from school without a valid reason, especially for leisure

absent without permission (adj.) – missing school or work without official approval

🚫 Antonyms

attend school (v.) – to be present at school for classes as required

be present (v.) – to show up at school or an event as expected

comply with attendance (v.) – to follow school rules by being present regularly

🌱 Derivatives

truancy (n.) – the act or habit of playing truant

truanting (n.) – the action of being truant

truant officer (n.) – an official responsible for monitoring school attendance

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Old French, originally a term for a beggar or idler. In modern English, it specifically refers to students who skip school without permission, reflecting societal emphasis on education.