absent

[ adjective preposition ab-suhnt; verb 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

Derived Forms

• abˈsenter, noun

Other Words From

• ab·sen·ta·tion [ab-s, uh, n-, tey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• ab·sent·er noun
• ab·sent·ness noun
• non·ab·sen·ta·tion 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

Last Friday, 19 parents and guardians, responsible for 11 children, faced magistrates in Great Yarmouth to explain why their child was persistently absent from school between December 2023 and July this year.

From BBC

“We have to deal with them, and absent the ordinance, it would be challenging for us.”

From Los Angeles Times

When I came round I felt extremely lucky to be alive - but the euphoria I had experienced after brain surgery was absent.

From BBC

Sir Keir noted that Putin had been absent from the G20 for the third year running, adding he was “the author of his own exile”.

From BBC

Aston Villa defender Lucy Parker is also absent for "several weeks" because of an ankle injury she picked up earlier this month.

From BBC

Related Words

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