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

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

From BBC

At my youngest child’s daycare, in Munich, Germany, parents are asked to fill in a chart at least a week in advance noting any specific days the child will be absent, like for scheduled travel.

From Salon

The Conservatives were formally notified today that the PM would be absent.

From BBC

However, when subunits are mutated or USP39 is absent, the stability of the tripartite complex is compromised, causing the spliceosome to lose precision.

From Science Daily

She was ordered to pay the city more than $29,000 for benefits and pay she received while she was absent.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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