Absent

/ˈæb.sənt/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To be away from a place or person.

The students often absent themselves from school during exam season.

adjective

Not present in a place, at an occasion, or as part of something.

She was absent from the meeting due to a family emergency.

Not existing or not available.

The evidence for his claims was conspicuously absent.

Lacking attentiveness or focus; inattentive or distracted.

He seemed absent during the lecture, lost in his own thoughts.

Late Middle English: from Latin absens, absent- 'being away, away from'.

absent without leave:

Refers to someone who is away without permission.

absent-minded:

Indicating a lack of attention or forgetfulness.

absent from:

To not be attending or present in a specified location.

Lost in thought or daydreaming.

He was so absent that he didn’t even notice the time passing.

Ghosting someone or disappearing.

She completely absented herself from that group chat.