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”

Example Sentences

That nutrient is largely absent from the diets of captive chimps and from many modern human diets.

From Science Daily

"It's an opportunity to play for your country against the best team in the world," Wales captain Dewi Lake said, with 13 England and France-based players absent from the squad.

From Barron's

Despite the recent blows, it remains a powerful political party with representation in the government and parliament, and a significant social movement, providing services in areas where the state is absent.

From BBC

While December is uncertain, and should be a holding decision absent an immediate deterioration in the data, the direction of travel for policy rates is lower in 2026.

From MarketWatch

It’s a rare game of home-grown players representing their communities absent of transfer students.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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