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

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

It should also be stated that those missing will insist they are absent for genuine reasons.

From BBC

The momentum–turning plays that the Rams executed during their three-game winning streak were noticeably absent on Monday night against the Miami Dolphins in a 23-15 defeat before 72,474 at SoFi Stadium.

From Los Angeles Times

Elections are won by inches, and that immediate economic appeal looks glaringly absent as the post mortems roll in.

From Slate

But this year the leaders of some of the biggest economies and biggest carbon emitters are notably absent.

From BBC

Related Words

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