absent
/ap.sɑ̃/Not present; not in a particular place or situation.
Il était absent à la réunion.
He was absent from the meeting.
Elle est souvent absente de l'école.
She is often absent from school.
Can be used with 'de' to indicate absence from a place or event.
Distracted or preoccupied; not paying attention.
Il avait l'air absent pendant le cours.
He seemed absent during the class.
In this sense, it implies a mental absence rather than physical.
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💡Pro Tip
Physical vs. Mental Absence
'Absent' can describe both physical and mental absence. Use context to determine the correct meaning.
⚡Gold Rule
Preposition Usage
Use 'de' to specify what or where someone is absent from (e.g., 'absent de la réunion').
📖Word Origin
From Latin 'absens', present participle of 'abesse' (to be away).
📝Usage Notes
In formal contexts, 'être absent' is more common than 's'absenter'.