C1adjective2K

Absent

UK /["/ˈæbsənt/"]/US /["/ˈæbsənt/"]/

Definition

not in a place because of illness, etc.

In simple words: not present or not here

Examples

  • She was absent from work for two weeks.
  • Local people were conspicuously absent from the meeting.
  • Love was totally absent from his childhood.
  • She now played with a passion that had been strangely absent from her previous performance.
  • an absent expression

Usage notes

Use 'absent' to describe someone who is not in a place where they are expected to be. It can be formal or neutral, but avoid using it in very casual contexts.

Grammar pattern

be + absent

Memory hint

Think of 'absence' as the state of being away — if you're absent, you're not here.

Collocations

  • be
  • remain
  • completely
  • entirely
  • quite
  • from
  • absent without leave
  • be
  • remain
  • completely
  • entirely
  • quite
  • from
  • absent without leave

Synonyms

  • missing
  • away
  • gone
  • lost
  • vacant

Antonyms

  • present
  • there
  • available

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'absentee' which refers to a person who is not present.
  • Using 'absent' improperly when discussing someone who is temporarily away, instead of permanently missing.
  • Incorrectly assuming 'absent' can be used as an adverb when it is an adjective.