absently
Americanadverb
adverb
Etymology
Origin of absently
Vocabulary lists containing absently
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Life is full of conflagrations,” he remarks, somewhat absently.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
“Oh,” he muttered absently as he paused before a tower of brass movie cans, “what do we have here?”
From Seattle Times • Dec. 23, 2023
It was 80 degrees, but Hadi only removed his beanie briefly, to absently rub a long, silvery scar that stretched across the top of his head.
From Salon • Dec. 15, 2022
I was surrounded by couples and was absently flipping through profiles when I saw him — early 40s, with thick, sandy blond hair, a college professor and musician.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 12, 2019
He did not reply at once, but sat down cross-legged, looking out absently beyond the small courtyard to the cool green of the paddy fields.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
