absence

[ab-suhns]

noun

1. state of being away or not being present.

   I acted as supervisor in his absence. Your absence was noted on the records.

   Antonyms: presence

2. period of being away.

   an absence of several weeks.

3. failure to attend or appear when expected.

4. lack; deficiency.

   the absence of proof.

5. inattentiveness; preoccupation; absent-mindedness.

   absence of mind.

absence

/ ˈæbsəns /

noun

1. the state of being away

2. the time during which a person or thing is away

3. the fact of being without something; lack

Word History and Origins

Origin of absence¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin absentia; absent, -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of absence¹

C14: via Old French from Latin absentia, from absēns a being away

Idioms and Phrases

• conspicuous by its absence

Example Sentences

Those issues were only exacerbated last week in the absence of safety Kamari Ramsey, who had recently taken over relaying calls from the sideline to the secondary.

From Los Angeles Times

She is currently on a leave of absence from the House of Lords and Reeves has said she does not want her to return.

From BBC

Mone is on a leave of absence from the House of Lords and Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she did not want the entrepreneur to return.

From BBC

His teammates were all too happy to speak about him in his absence.

From Los Angeles Times

The absence of Premier League champions Liverpool was particularly noteworthy, as was that of Barcelona, who won La Liga last season.

From BBC

Related Words

• dearth 
• deficiency 
• drought 
• lack 
• omission