absent-minded

or ab·sent·mind·ed

[ ab-suhnt-mahyn-did ]

/ ˈæb səntˈmaɪn dɪd /

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See synonyms for: absent-minded / absent mindedness / absent-mindedness / absentmindedness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR absent-minded

withdrawn, musing, daydreaming, dreamy, forgetful, distracted.

See synonyms for absent-minded on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR absent-minded

attentive, alert, heedful, observant.

See antonyms for absent-minded on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of absent-minded

First recorded in 1850–55

synonym study for absent-minded

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 WORDS FROM absent-minded

ab·sent-mind·ed·ly, adverbab·sent-mind·ed·ness, noun

How to use absent-minded in a sentence

She stares absentmindedly at her computer, her lips parted and hand resting between her legs.
‘A Girl and Her Room’ Exhibit: Photos by Rania Matar|Lizzie Crocker|May 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He comforted her, absentmindedly, and dressed in the dark, swearing at the clumsy leggings.
The Valor of Cappen Varra|Poul William Anderson
Each shook his head and looked around, their fingers toying absentmindedly at their belts.
Hopalong Cassidy's Rustler Round-Up|Clarence Edward Mulford
As they talked they absentmindedly practised the art of withholding money from customers, a source of income to them.
Marching Men|Sherwood Anderson

Lingard on his own side stopped in his walk and also gazed absentmindedly before him.
The Rescue|Joseph Conrad
With a grave face, as she absentmindedly tossed and spread the glorious mass of her glittering hair, Harriet sat on, pondering.
Harriet and the Piper|Kathleen Norris

British Dictionary definitions for absent-minded

absent-minded

adjective

preoccupied; forgetful; inattentive

Derived forms of absent-minded

absent-mindedly, adverbabsent-mindedness, noun

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

absent-minded

or ab·sent·mind·ed

OTHER WORDS FOR absent-minded

OPPOSITES FOR absent-minded

Origin of absent-minded

synonym study for absent-minded

OTHER WORDS FROM absent-minded

Words related to absent-minded

How to use absent-minded in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for absent-minded

Derived forms of absent-minded