Absent

/ˈæb.sn̩t/ · adjective

Meaning

(not comparable) Being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; existing but not present; (sometimes) missing..

Definitions by Sense

1. (not comparable) Being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; existing but not present; (sometimes) missing.
2. (not comparable) Not existing.
3. (comparable) Inattentive to what is passing; absent-minded; preoccupied.
4. (with definite article) Something absent, especially absent people collectively; those who were or are not there.
5. (obsolete, Scotland) An absentee; a person who is not there.
6. In the absence of; without; except.
7. (reflexive) To keep (oneself) away.
8. (transitive, archaic) To keep (someone) away.

Example Sentences

Owing to his own illness and then his family's, Ramzi has often been absent from class this month. We will help him catch up with his studies.

When they were able to return to the clinic some months later, certain pieces of equipment were absent.

Expecting absent friends.

The body part was rudimentary or absent in 1% of specimens.

Empathy seemed to be absent from the messages.

Signs of forced entry were absent.

Tom was there, but he seemed absent and withdrawn. Normally he is quite present [= engaged] during a meeting.

What is commonly called an absent man is commonly either a very weak or a very affected man.

Synonyms for absent

Antonyms for absent

Related Words

Word Forms

• absenter
• absentest
• abs.
• absents
• absenting
• absented

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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