An absentee is someone who is not present in a place or situation where they are expected to be. The term can be broken down into five different words: AWOL (4 letters), which stands for 'absent without leave'; TRUANT (6 letters), which means someone who is absent from school or work without permission; BACKBITE (8 letters), which means to criticize someone behind their back; INSPIRIT (8 letters), which means to fill someone with enthusiasm; and NOSHOW (6 letters), which means someone who fails to appear at an appointment or event.