absence

American  

[ab-suhns] / ˈæb səns /

noun

• absences
  plural

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.

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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

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absence Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing absence

• conspicuous by its absence

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• absences
  plural

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

See Examples For:

absence absences

The absence of his wife, Cora, haunts him so thoroughly he wonders if she might yet be alive.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

Wholeness doesn’t come from the absence of brokenness, but from dwelling honestly within that brokenness—and allowing the memory of a lost person to grow into a blessing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Moryoussef was sentenced in his absence in 2018, never returned to the UK to serve time after France refused to extradite him.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

Because of this absence, scientists have previously argued that animals likely evolved after the Weng'an Biota formed.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026

The Lincolns’ private afternoon carriage ride and absence from the mansion had left business unfinished, with several politicians still waiting for an audience with the president.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

Since late September, pupils have barred the entrances to their schools, complaining of teacher absences, overloaded timetables, dilapidated classrooms and buildings ill-adapted to rising temperatures, among other grievances.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

Representatives of Australia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands said the absences would not affect the meeting's outcomes.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

Raman countered that many of her absences were the result of her attendance on regional boards and oversight bodies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

"With atypical absences that last longer, people may have automatic movements like fidgeting with their hands, eyelid fluttering and lip smacking. Some people may fall."

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

My absences were beginning to displease Gertrude and she grew testy with me.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Related Words

• dearth
• deficiency
• drought
• lack
• omission