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absence
/ˈæb.səns/
state of being away or missing
Her absence from the meeting was noted by the manager.
The manager observed that she was not present at the meeting.
neutral
The fact of not being present or available
The teacher marked her absence in the attendance register.
The teacher recorded that she was not in the class.
In the absence of evidence, the jury could not convict the defendant.
Because there was no proof, the jury acquitted the defendant.
Used in formal contexts (e.g., law, education) to describe someone or something that is missing or not present.
neutral
A period of time when someone is not in a place
She returned after a long absence from work.
She came back after being away from her job for a long time.
Often implies a temporary or notable break in presence.
Collocations
in the absence ofwhen something is missing or not availableabsence fromnot being present at a specific place or event
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Prepositions with 'absence'
Use 'from' to indicate where someone is missing (e.g., 'absence from work'). Use 'in' to describe a period of time (e.g., 'during his absence').
Gold Rule
Formal vs. Informal
Avoid using 'absence' in casual conversations where simpler terms like 'missing' or 'not here' would suffice.
Word Origin
From Old French 'absence' (14th century), from Latin 'absentia', derived from 'absens' (absent), from 'ab-' (away) + 'esse' (to be).
Usage Notes
Commonly used in formal writing and speech. In casual contexts, 'missing' or 'not here' may be more natural.
Word Breakdown
ab-
prefix meaning 'away' or 'from'
prefix-sens
root from Latin 'esse' (to be)
rootEnglish Dictionary