absentee vote

NOUN

[/ˈæbsənˌti voʊt/]

A ballot cast by a voter who is unable to be present at their designated polling place on election day

💡 Concept

He mails his absentee vote from the army base far from home.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

Start Free Demo

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈæbsənˌti voʊt/

🇬🇧 UK/ˈæbsənˌtiː vəʊt/

🌳Etymology

Rootabsent

Suffix--ee

Origin

The term 'absentee vote' derives from Latin absentia, meaning 'absence,' combined with the agent suffix '-ee' (one who receives or experiences). It refers to the act of voting while physically absent from the polling location, a practice formalized in modern electoral systems to accommodate voters unable to vote in person.

Breakdown

absent (from Latin absentis, 'absent') + -ee (suffix denoting a person who receives or is subject to an action) + vote (from Latin votum, 'a vow or wish'). Together, 'absentee vote' designates a ballot cast by one who is absent from the voting place.

🎵Rhyme

remotedevotepromote

remote

devote

promote

🔗Collocations

cast an absentee vote

request absentee vote

absentee vote application

count absentee votes

absentee vote deadline

mail-in absentee vote

📝Examples

“The college student submitted her absentee vote because she couldn't travel home during finals week.”

😄 Fun example

“His absentee vote arrived one day late, making him wonder if his choice between pizza party and serious candidate really mattered.”

“Military personnel overseas often rely on absentee votes to participate in elections.”

😄 Fun example

“She filled out her absentee vote while stuck in traffic, proving that democracy waits for no one.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

mail-in ballotpostal voteabsent voting

Antonyms

in-person votingpolling station vote

ballotelectionvoter registrationpollingdemocracy

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Start for Free 60s Demo

absentee vote — A ballot cast by a voter who is unable to be present at their designated polling place on election day

Example Sentences