absent

[ab-suhnt, ab-sent, ab-suhnt]

adjective

1. not in a certain place at a given time; away, missing (present ).

   absent from class.

   Synonyms: off, out
   Antonyms: present

2. lacking; nonexistent.

   Revenge is absent from his mind.

3. not attentive; preoccupied; absent-minded.

   an absent look on his face.

verb (used with object)

1. to take or keep (oneself ) away.

   to absent oneself from a meeting.

preposition

1. in the absence of; without.

   Absent some catastrophe, stock-market prices should soon improve.

absent

adjective

1. away or not present

2. lacking; missing

3. inattentive; absent-minded

verb

1. (tr) to remove (oneself) or keep away

Other Word Forms

• absentation noun
• absenter noun
• absentness noun
• nonabsentation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of absent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin absent-, stem of absēns “being away,” present participle of abesse “to be away,” from ab- ab- + esse “to be”

Word History and Origins

Origin of absent¹

C14: from Latin absent-, stem of absēns, present participle of abesse to be away

Example Sentences

"It's an opportunity to play for your country against the best team in the world," Wales captain Dewi Lake said, with 13 England and France-based players absent from the squad.

Read more on Barron's

Despite the recent blows, it remains a powerful political party with representation in the government and parliament, and a significant social movement, providing services in areas where the state is absent.

Read more on BBC

While December is uncertain, and should be a holding decision absent an immediate deterioration in the data, the direction of travel for policy rates is lower in 2026.

Read more on MarketWatch

It’s a rare game of home-grown players representing their communities absent of transfer students.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Because he was absent for more than eight minutes, he was not allowed to bat until the same amount of time had elapsed, as per the rules.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• devoid 
• empty 
• lacking 
• missing 
• nonexistent 
• unavailable 
• vacant