absent

1 of 3

adjective

ab·sent ˈab-sənt How to pronounce absent (audio)

: not present at a usual or expected place : missing

was absent from class today

sharing memories of absent friends

She was conspicuously absent [=her absence was very noticeable] at the meeting.

: not existing : lacking

… danger in a situation where power is absent …

M. H. Trytten

a gene that occurs in mammals but is absent in birds

: showing a lack of attention to what is happening or being said : not attentive

had an absent look on her face

an absent reply

absently adverb

He replied absently to her question.

absent

2 of 3

verb

ab·sent ab-ˈsent How to pronounce absent (audio)

ˈab-ˌsent

absented; absenting; absents

transitive verb

: to keep (oneself) away

He absented himself from the meeting.

absent

3 of 3

preposition

ab·sent ˈab-sənt How to pronounce absent (audio)

US, formal

: in the absence of (something) : without

Absent any objections, the plan will proceed.

Example Sentences

Adjective an absent father who is not home most of the time a gene that occurs in mammals but that is absent in birds a landscape in which vegetation is almost entirely absent He made an absent reply to her question as he continued to watch the TV. Preposition Absent any objections, the plan will proceed. Absent such an agreement we can go no further. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But there is one CBS reality show that has been conspicuously absent from The Challenge: USA, and that is Tough as Nails.

Dalton Ross, EW.com, 29 Aug. 2022 Kane and Garfield counties, home to the Grand Staircase, are parties to the state’s suit, while San Juan is conspicuously absent.

Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 Aug. 2022 Souvenir shops packed with T-shirts and floating toys are conspicuously absent.

Chelsea Brasted, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 Conspicuously absent was their most famous opponent.

Iris Samuels, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Aug. 2022 There has been grumbling that the quasi-public agency, led by former Lawrence mayor Dan Rivera, has been conspicuously absent in local affairs lately.

Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 17 July 2022 The Avengers are conspicuously absent from most of the action in various movies and TV shows in Phase 4.

Chris Smith, BGR, 12 July 2022 During that time, the Pelicans offered few updates on Williamson, any mention of whom was later conspicuously absent from Pelicans promotional material regarding season ticket renewals for the 2022-23 season.

Brett Martel, ajc, 2 July 2022 Francis was conspicuously absent from the trial; prosecutors pulled him from their witness lineup at the last minute.

San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2022

Verb

Still, the stately show’s main hurdle is the same faced by many of the streaming era’s ambitious sequels, prequels, and spin-offs: over-familiarity absent any real risk.

Sydney Odman, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2022 Still, the stately show’s main hurdle is the same faced by many of the streaming era’s ambitious sequels, prequels, and spin-offs: over-familiarity absent any real risk.

Michaela Zee, Variety, 31 Aug. 2022 There is nothing propelling people to buy more of them and absent a new pandemic that sends people back inside, there are no growth tailwinds for this industry.

Peter Cohan, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 Rhodium said in a report Thursday that the U.S., historically the largest emitter of any nation, is on a trajectory to miss its climate targets absent the steps in the bill or comparable climate legislation.

Benjamin J. Hulac And David Jordan, Anchorage Daily News, 18 July 2022 But absent the intelligence from the United States, Ukraine would have struggled to target the warship with the confidence necessary to expend two valuable Neptune missiles, which were in short supply, according to people familiar with the strike.

Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 11 May 2022 The complaint listed particular bruises and the broken collarbone and concludes such conditions do not occur in nonmobile infants absent some abuse.

Bruce Vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11 May 2022 But even absent those trends, the factors that have pushed up prices may be hard to unwind.

New York Times, 30 Apr. 2022 The Electro looks and flies like an ordinary light aircraft, but absent the roar of internal combustion, its single propeller makes a sound like beating wings.

New York Times, 16 Apr. 2022

Preposition

Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation.

Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation.

Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 See More

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin absent-, absens, present participle of abesse "to be away, be absent," from ab- ab- + -sens, present participle (attested only with prefixes) of esse "to be" — more at is entry 1

Verb

Middle English absenten, borrowed from Anglo-French absenter, borrowed from Late Latin absentāre, verbal derivative of Latin absent-, absens absent entry 1

Preposition

derivative of absent entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

1944, in the meaning defined above

absent 1 of 2

adjective

as in missing

not at a certain place three students were absent because of the flu

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

missing
out
gone
away
retired
truant
AWOL
departed
abroad
vacationing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present
here
in
participating
attending
accompanying

as in lacking

not present or in evidence the city's usual stir of activity was conspicuously absent due to the report of an escaped lion from the zoo

Synonyms & Similar Words

lacking
missing
lost
vanished
nonexistent
extinct
done
wanting
inadequate
insufficient
sparse
departed
perished
defunct
over
obsolete
scarce
expired
lapsed
rare
finished
uncommon
dead
passé

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present
active
existent
alive
current
living
prevalent
thriving
conspicuous
common
evident
apparent
prevailing
going
obvious
plain
animate
uncanceled

as in preoccupied

lost in thought and unaware of one's surroundings or actions seemed absent when I told him you were coming because he nodded but didn't say anything

Synonyms & Similar Words

preoccupied
distracted
confused
abstracted
dazed
bewildered
absentminded
absorbed
unaware
oblivious
faraway
engrossed
forgetful
inattentive
forgetting
pensive
intent
unmindful
unconscious
rapt
daydreaming
unheeding
dreaming
vacant
befuddled
unfocused
muddled
heedless
unwitting
dreamy
clueless
unperceptive
bemused
unknowing
unthinking
scatterbrained
hazy
foggy
unfocussed
befogged
unwary
flighty
insensible
birdbrained

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alive
aware
alert
engaged
conscious
watchful
wary
vigilant
observing
mindful
sharp
attentive
heedful
observant
open-eyed
clearheaded
heads-up
wide-awake

absent

2 of 2

preposition

as in without

not having absent a significant source of investment funds, the fledgling company continues to struggle

Synonyms & Similar Words

without
minus
wanting
sans

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of absent are absentminded, abstracted, distracted, and preoccupied. While all these words mean "inattentive to what claims or demands consideration," absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.

an absent stare

Although the words absentminded and absent have much in common, absentminded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.

so absentminded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes

The words abstracted and absent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters.

walking about with an abstracted air

In some situations, the words distracted and absent are roughly equivalent. However, distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.

was too distracted by grief to continue working

While in some cases nearly identical to absent, preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others.

too preoccupied with her debts to enjoy the meal

单词	absent
释义	absent 1 of 3 adjective ab·sent ˈab-sənt 1 : not present at a usual or expected place : missing was absent from class today sharing memories of absent friends She was conspicuously absent [=her absence was very noticeable] at the meeting. 2 : not existing : lacking … danger in a situation where power is absent … M. H. Trytten a gene that occurs in mammals but is absent in birds 3 : showing a lack of attention to what is happening or being said : not attentive had an absent look on her face an absent reply absently adverb He replied absently to her question. absent 2 of 3 verb ab·sent ab-ˈsent ˈab-ˌsent absented; absenting; absents transitive verb : to keep (oneself) away He absented himself from the meeting. absent 3 of 3 preposition ab·sent ˈab-sənt US, formal : in the absence of (something) : without Absent any objections, the plan will proceed. Synonyms Adjective away missing out Preposition minus sans wanting without See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Adjective an absent father who is not home most of the time a gene that occurs in mammals but that is absent in birds a landscape in which vegetation is almost entirely absent He made an absent reply to her question as he continued to watch the TV. Preposition Absent any objections, the plan will proceed. Absent such an agreement we can go no further. See More Recent Examples on the Web Adjective But there is one CBS reality show that has been conspicuously absent from The Challenge: USA, and that is Tough as Nails. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 29 Aug. 2022 Kane and Garfield counties, home to the Grand Staircase, are parties to the state’s suit, while San Juan is conspicuously absent. Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 Aug. 2022 Souvenir shops packed with T-shirts and floating toys are conspicuously absent. Chelsea Brasted, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 Conspicuously absent was their most famous opponent. Iris Samuels, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Aug. 2022 There has been grumbling that the quasi-public agency, led by former Lawrence mayor Dan Rivera, has been conspicuously absent in local affairs lately. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 17 July 2022 The Avengers are conspicuously absent from most of the action in various movies and TV shows in Phase 4. Chris Smith, BGR, 12 July 2022 During that time, the Pelicans offered few updates on Williamson, any mention of whom was later conspicuously absent from Pelicans promotional material regarding season ticket renewals for the 2022-23 season. Brett Martel, ajc, 2 July 2022 Francis was conspicuously absent from the trial; prosecutors pulled him from their witness lineup at the last minute. San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2022 Verb Still, the stately show’s main hurdle is the same faced by many of the streaming era’s ambitious sequels, prequels, and spin-offs: over-familiarity absent any real risk. Sydney Odman, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2022 Still, the stately show’s main hurdle is the same faced by many of the streaming era’s ambitious sequels, prequels, and spin-offs: over-familiarity absent any real risk. Michaela Zee, Variety, 31 Aug. 2022 There is nothing propelling people to buy more of them and absent a new pandemic that sends people back inside, there are no growth tailwinds for this industry. Peter Cohan, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 Rhodium said in a report Thursday that the U.S., historically the largest emitter of any nation, is on a trajectory to miss its climate targets absent the steps in the bill or comparable climate legislation. Benjamin J. Hulac And David Jordan, Anchorage Daily News, 18 July 2022 But absent the intelligence from the United States, Ukraine would have struggled to target the warship with the confidence necessary to expend two valuable Neptune missiles, which were in short supply, according to people familiar with the strike. Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 11 May 2022 The complaint listed particular bruises and the broken collarbone and concludes such conditions do not occur in nonmobile infants absent some abuse. Bruce Vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11 May 2022 But even absent those trends, the factors that have pushed up prices may be hard to unwind. New York Times, 30 Apr. 2022 The Electro looks and flies like an ordinary light aircraft, but absent the roar of internal combustion, its single propeller makes a sound like beating wings. New York Times, 16 Apr. 2022 Preposition Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 See More Word History Etymology Adjective Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin absent-, absens, present participle of abesse "to be away, be absent," from ab- ab- + -sens, present participle (attested only with prefixes) of esse "to be" — more at is entry 1 Verb Middle English absenten, borrowed from Anglo-French absenter, borrowed from Late Latin absentāre, verbal derivative of Latin absent-, absens absent entry 1 Preposition derivative of absent entry 1 First Known Use Adjective 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb 15th century, in the meaning defined above Preposition 1944, in the meaning defined above Phrases Containing absent absent-minded absent without leave absent oneself absent-mindedly absent-mindedness conspicuously absent absent-minded absent without leave absent oneself absent-mindedly absent-mindedness conspicuously absent Kids Definition absent adjective ab·sent ˈab-sənt 1 : not present I missed a field trip when I was absent. 2 : not existing Trees were absent from the desert landscape. 3 : showing a lack of attention an absent stare absent 1 of 2 adjective 1 as in missing not at a certain place three students were absent because of the flu Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance missing out gone away retired truant AWOL departed abroad vacationing Antonyms & Near Antonyms present here in participating attending accompanying 2 as in lacking not present or in evidence the city's usual stir of activity was conspicuously absent due to the report of an escaped lion from the zoo Synonyms & Similar Words lacking missing lost vanished nonexistent extinct done wanting inadequate insufficient sparse departed perished defunct over obsolete scarce expired lapsed rare finished uncommon dead passé Antonyms & Near Antonyms present active existent alive current living prevalent thriving conspicuous common evident apparent prevailing going obvious plain animate uncanceled See More 3 as in preoccupied lost in thought and unaware of one's surroundings or actions seemed absent when I told him you were coming because he nodded but didn't say anything Synonyms & Similar Words preoccupied distracted confused abstracted dazed bewildered absentminded absorbed unaware oblivious faraway engrossed forgetful inattentive forgetting pensive intent unmindful unconscious rapt daydreaming unheeding dreaming vacant befuddled unfocused muddled heedless unwitting dreamy clueless unperceptive bemused unknowing unthinking scatterbrained hazy foggy unfocussed befogged unwary flighty insensible birdbrained Antonyms & Near Antonyms alive aware alert engaged conscious watchful wary vigilant observing mindful sharp attentive heedful observant open-eyed clearheaded heads-up wide-awake See More absent 2 of 2 preposition as in without not having absent a significant source of investment funds, the fledgling company continues to struggle Synonyms & Similar Words without minus wanting sans Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of absent are absentminded, abstracted, distracted, and preoccupied. While all these words mean "inattentive to what claims or demands consideration," absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters. an absent stare Although the words absentminded and absent have much in common, absentminded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness. so absentminded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes The words abstracted and absent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters. walking about with an abstracted air In some situations, the words distracted and absent are roughly equivalent. However, distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety. was too distracted by grief to continue working While in some cases nearly identical to absent, preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others. too preoccupied with her debts to enjoy the meal Phrases Containing absent absent oneself absent oneself
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absent

adjective

verb

preposition

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing absent

Kids Definition

adjective

adjective

preposition

Synonym Chooser

Phrases Containing absent