absent

Formsabsenter, absentest

Formsabsents, absenting, absented

Pluralabsents

1. 1
   adjective

   Not in a place where you are expected to be.

   Like an empty chair where someone should be sitting.

   Three students were absent from class today.

   Her father was absent for most of her childhood.

   Similaraway, missing, gone

   Oppositepresent

   Note
2. 2
   adjective

   Completely missing, or not found at all in something.

   Like a word that is missing from a sentence.

   Trees are completely absent from the dry desert.

   Fresh water is absent on much of the island.

   Similarlacking, missing, nonexistent, wanting

   Oppositeexisting, present

   Note
3. 3
   adjective

   Not paying attention because your mind is on something else.

   Like daydreaming while someone is talking to you.

   She gave an absent nod while reading her phone.

   He had an absent look as he stared out the window.

   Similardistracted, preoccupied, abstracted, faraway, vacant

   Oppositepresent

   Note
4. 4
   verbreflexivetransitive

   To stay away from a place on purpose.

   Like quietly slipping out so no one notices you are gone.

   He decided to absent himself from the party.

   They often absent themselves from boring meetings.

   Similarexcuse, remove, withdraw

   Note
5. 5
   preposition

   Without something, or when a certain thing is not there.

   Like the word "without": it tells you something is missing.

   Absent a key, we could not open the door.

   Absent more help, the work will be very slow.

   Similarwithout

   Note
6. 6
   nounwith the

   A person or thing that is not there, especially people who are away.

   Like the empty places at a table set for people who never came.

   We saved seats for the absent at the dinner.

   The teacher marked the absent in her book.

   Oppositepresent

   Note

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