absent

[ab-suhnt, ab-sent, ab-suhnt]

adjective

1. not in a certain place at a given time; away, missing (present ).

   absent from class.

   Synonyms: off, out
   Antonyms: present

2. lacking; nonexistent.

   Revenge is absent from his mind.

3. not attentive; preoccupied; absent-minded.

   an absent look on his face.

verb (used with object)

1. to take or keep (oneself ) away.

   to absent oneself from a meeting.

preposition

1. in the absence of; without.

   Absent some catastrophe, stock-market prices should soon improve.

absent

adjective

1. away or not present

2. lacking; missing

3. inattentive; absent-minded

verb

1. (tr) to remove (oneself) or keep away

Other Word Forms

• absentation noun
• absenter noun
• absentness noun
• nonabsentation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of absent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin absent-, stem of absēns “being away,” present participle of abesse “to be away,” from ab- ab- + esse “to be”

Word History and Origins

Origin of absent¹

C14: from Latin absent-, stem of absēns, present participle of abesse to be away

Example Sentences

More than his technique or ruthless scrutiny, it’s Oliphant’s humor that feels the most absent from our world right now.

From Salon

And notably absent from it is the huge body of data showing mRNA vaccines actually prevent these harms.

From Salon

Amid her legal woes, Huger was absent from the “Real Housewives of Potomac” Season 9 reunion.

From Los Angeles Times

Jones has been absent from the NBC morning show since last December, when she excused herself to handle “a family health matter.”

From Los Angeles Times

If the test is negative for the Y chromosome - ie it is absent - the athlete is eligible to compete in the female category.

From BBC

Related Words

• devoid 
• empty 
• lacking 
• missing 
• nonexistent 
• unavailable 
• vacant