absence

American  

[ab-suhns] / ˈæb səns /

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 British  

/ 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

---

absence Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing absence

• conspicuous by its absence

---

Etymology

Origin of absence

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

Explanation

Absence is the state of not being someplace, like school. It can also refer to the amount of time something has been, or plans to be gone. We most commonly think of absence as the opposite of present in places school, but really it can refer to anything that's missing or something that's lacking. Darkness is an absence of light, and cold is an absence of heat. The figure of speech "absence makes the heart grow fonder" means "when my beloved isn't here, my feelings for them get even stronger" or "when something's gone, you want it even more."

Example Sentences

Tuchel fielded experimental line-ups against Uruguay and Japan, with Manchester City playmaker Phil Foden featuring as a false nine against the latter in the absence of injured Bayern Munich striker and England captain Harry Kane.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

Bass, who was in Ghana on Jan. 7, 2025, the day the fire broke out, said her absence from the city was “one of the worst moments” of her life.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

In the weeks before Spirit closed down, the company warned that travelers’ pocketbooks would feel the airline’s absence if it vanished.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

This absence suggests that recent volcanic activity is unlikely, making the weathered, inactive surface scenario more plausible.

From Science Daily • May 5, 2026

She’d been so distracted by Ekon that she hadn’t noticed the strange lightness on her back, the absence of something crucial.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Related Words

• dearth
• deficiency
• drought
• lack
• omission