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

In fact the vast majority of new cases involve children without the intellectual disabilities often associated with stereotypical autistic behavior, such as sensitivities to touch and an absence of verbal skills.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I spent years thinking, how do you make a film that is marked by its absence of violence?

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Rates are lower for children eligible for free school meals and there is concern about persistent absence, which is pupils missing more than 10% of school sessions.

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There were "multiple levels" of editorial failure on this story, he added, as well as the apparent absence of an inquiry into what happened and why.

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Camden's rate of persistent absence is higher than both the inner London and national average, with more than one in five pupils missing more than one in 10 of their lessons.

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Related Words

• dearth 
• deficiency 
• drought 
• lack 
• omission