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; absent, -ia

Example Sentences

“His seva, sincerity, and unwavering faith touched countless lives, and his absence leaves a profound void in our community.”

From Los Angeles Times

So should the absence of meaningful regulatory oversight of those assets.

From Barron's

With this understanding of federal primacy in foreign affairs, the Supreme Court has pre-empted state laws even in the absence of any affirmative actions by the president or Congress.

From The Wall Street Journal

The long-term absences of Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison have hardly helped matters and a stretched squad was without a total of 11 players last weekend, considerably more than any other Premier League club.

From BBC

As the glass “magazines” are removed, glowing silhouettes mark their absence.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dearth
• deficiency
• drought
• lack
• omission