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View synonyms for

absence

[ ab-suhns ]

noun

  1. state of being away or not being present:

    I acted as supervisor in his absence. Your absence was noted on the records.

    Antonyms:

  2. period of being away:

    an absence of several weeks.

  3. failure to attend or appear when expected.
  4. lack; deficiency:

    the absence of proof.

  5. inattentiveness; preoccupation; absent-mindedness:

    absence of mind.



absence

/ ˈæəԲ /

noun

  1. the state of being away
  2. the time during which a person or thing is away
  3. the fact of being without something; lack
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of absence1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin absentia; absent, -ia
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Word History and Origins

Origin of absence1

C14: via Old French from Latin absentia, from ŧԲ a being away
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Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with absence , also see conspicuous by its absence .
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

That sense of a rift between the current Israeli government and the Vatican may well be visible at the Pope's funeral in Rome, where Israel's leaders will be noticeable by their absence.

From

Assistant manager Jason Tindall and fellow coach Graeme Jones oversaw two wins and one defeat in the Premier League in Howe's absence.

From

"That is where the absence of treaty constraints could start to be felt more acutely."

From

That absence in Los Angeles has long bewildered travelers, especially first-time LAX fliers.

From

On 12 April, the club announced he would miss the home game against Manchester United - the first of three matches they would play during his absence.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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abseilabsence makes the heart grow fonder