absent-minded

American  

[ab-suhnt-mahyn-did] / ˈæb səntˈmaɪn dɪd /

Or absentminded

adjective

1. so lost in thought that one does not realize what one is doing, what is happening, etc.; preoccupied to the extent of being unaware of one's immediate surroundings.

   Synonyms:

   distracted, forgetful, dreamy, musing, withdrawn

   Antonyms:

   observant, heedful, alert, attentive

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absent-minded British  

adjective

1. preoccupied; forgetful; inattentive

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Related Words

Absent-minded, abstracted, oblivious all mean inattentive to immediate surroundings. Absent-minded suggests an unintentional wandering of the mind from the present: an absent-minded committee member. Abstracted implies that the mind has been drawn away from the immediate present by reflection upon some engrossing subject: an abstracted air. Oblivious implies absorption in some thought that causes one to be completely forgetful of or unaware of one's surroundings: oblivious of danger.

Other Word Forms

• absent-mindedly
  adverb
• absent-mindedness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of absent-minded

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

At some point, the early slide will become routine, and making a mistake on timing will be seen as absent minded as forgetting the infield fly rule, an embarrassment for the perpetrator.

From The Guardian • Apr. 14, 2016

Here United's rearguard fared a little better during the first half, though there were still shaky moments in a display studded with absent minded lapses.

From The Guardian • Dec. 5, 2012

Even the absent minded thought of trading Lee for any minor leaguers is absurd.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 7, 2010

One of Philadelphia's distinguished physicians was so absent minded that he forgot his stethoscope when he called late one night to listen to the heart of a lady patient.

From Time Magazine Archive

The captain's dame perceived that her husband was thoughtful and absent minded.

From History of King Charles the Second of England by Abbott, Jacob