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

Mr Wanah agrees that the absence of the country's main opposition figure "reinforces the perception that truly fair elections cannot take place in Cameroon".

Read more on BBC

Bill Clinton’s Republican Fed chairman, Alan Greenspan, would fret about the national debt disappearing faster than the financial plumbing could adjust to its absence.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The absence of updated inflation data would have proven even more problematic than the missing September jobs report, which the BLS couldn’t release on Oct.

Read more on Barron's

In the absence of FEMA, much of the recovery effort has been led by private citizens such as Rand, who have raised funds to clear streets and yards and repair houses.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Any absence of Australia captain Pat Cummins from the Ashes could play into England's hands, according to batter Harry Brook.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• dearth 
• deficiency 
• drought 
• lack 
• omission