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

This week, as the government shutdown continues into its second week, earnings season kicks into high gear, giving investors something to chew on, absent economic data from the federal government.

Read more on Barron's

This week, as the government shutdown continues into its second week, earnings season kicks into high gear, giving investors something to chew on, absent economic data from the federal government.

Read more on Barron's

The corporate results will give investors something to chew on, absent economic data from the federal government.

Read more on Barron's

But he does an excellent job of squaring the fading man before his eyes—the soppy grandparent and proud father—with the “shadowy, mysterious, sometimes frightening, often absent” stock figure from his youth.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“There is no circumstance absent him saying he’s gonna retire that I would have bought tickets that far in advance,” Garcia said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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