absently

American

[ab-suhnt-lee] / ˈæb sənt li /

adverb

in an absent-minded manner; inattentively.

absently British

/ ˈæbsəntlɪ /

adverb

in an absent-minded or preoccupied manner; inattentively

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of absently

First recorded in 1870–75; absent + -ly

Vocabulary lists containing absently

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Life is full of conflagrations,” he remarks, somewhat absently.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

“Oh,” he muttered absently as he paused before a tower of brass movie cans, “what do we have here?”

From Seattle Times • Dec. 23, 2023

He wonders whether he should wear a tux just to study the music, “holding the score against his chest, stroking it absently, like a kitten.”

From Washington Post • Apr. 20, 2023

It was 80 degrees, but Hadi only removed his beanie briefly, to absently rub a long, silvery scar that stretched across the top of his head.

From Salon • Dec. 15, 2022

“I think we're fine,” Mama says absently, and takes a sip of her chai.

From "Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun" by Hena Khan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023