absent

American  

[ab-suhnt, ab-sent, ab-suhnt] / ˈæb sənt, æbˈsɛnt, ˈæb sənt /

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.

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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 British  

adjective

1. away or not present

2. lacking; missing

3. inattentive; absent-minded

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of absent

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”

Related Words

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