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absent
/ˈæb.sənt/
not present
She was absent from the meeting yesterday.
She did not attend the meeting yesterday.
neutral
not in a place where you should be or are expected to be
Three students were absent from class today.
Three students did not come to class today.
Often used with 'from' (absent from work, absent from school).
neutral
lacking or missing
Love was absent in their relationship.
There was no love in their relationship.
Can describe abstract concepts (e.g., absent confidence, absent evidence).
neutral
not paying attention; inattentive
He seemed absent during the lecture.
He did not appear to be paying attention during the lecture.
Commonly used in phrases like 'absent-minded' (forgetful or inattentive).
Collocations
absent fromnot present at a placeabsent-mindedforgetful or inattentiveabsent without leaveunauthorized absence (often military/job context)
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Common Mistake: 'Absent from' vs 'Absent in'
Use 'absent from' to indicate where someone is not (absent from school), not 'absent in'.
Gold Rule
Position in Sentences
As an adjective, 'absent' can precede a noun ('an absent teacher') or follow a verb ('the teacher was absent').
Word Origin
From Latin 'absens', present participle of 'abesse' (to be away), from 'ab-' (away) + 'esse' (to be).
Usage Notes
Used as an adjective before a noun (an absent student) or after a linking verb (the student was absent). Avoid confusing with 'absent-minded' (distracted).
Word Breakdown
ab-
away from
prefix-sent
being
root (from Latin 'esse')English Dictionary