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

I’ll be off for a couple of weeks, but my Wall Street Journal colleagues will keep Markets A.M. coming in my absence.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

President Paul Biya returned to Cameroon on Thursday after a 73-day absence that fuelled speculation about the 93-year-old's health and who is really running the country.

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

Dr Meneka Sidhu, a consultant neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, said typical absence seizures usually last seconds and the person affected may appear to be daydreaming or looking blank.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

How will the Chargers operate in Biadasz’s absence?

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

The absence of all light and shadow and sensation.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

For many Cameroonians, however, Biya's repeated absences over the past two decades have become a source of growing frustration.

From Barron's ● 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

All it cost them to snatch up the winner of the last two American League Cy Young Awards was three minor-leaguers whose absences will barely make a dent in their loaded farm system.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

A third calls for a pulse check on a law passed by the Legislature in 2025 that lets public schools excuse student absences for off-campus religious instruction.

From Salon ● Jul. 31, 2026

Cal made arrangements in school, by doing extra and excellent work, to make up for his absences on Monday afternoons.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• dearth
• deficiency
• drought
• lack
• omission