absence

[ ab-suhns ]

/ ˈæb səns /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR absence ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

state of being away or not being present: I acted as supervisor in his absence. Your absence was noted on the records.

period of being away: an absence of several weeks.

failure to attend or appear when expected.

lack; deficiency: the absence of proof.

inattentiveness; preoccupation; absent-mindedness: absence of mind.

Origin of absence

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French < Latin absentia. See absent, -ia

ANTONYMS FOR absence

1 presence.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR absence ON THESAURUS.COM

Words nearby absence

abscondee, abscondence, abscopal, abscopal effect, abseil, absence, absence makes the heart grow fonder, absence seizure, absent, absent without leave, absent-minded

Example sentences from the Web for absence

In the absence of cultural shifts, then, new reproductive technology might not matter as much for women as it would for men.

Men Will Someday Have Kids Without Women |Samantha Allen |January 3, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
So filmmakers usually resort to a plot device to compensate for this absence.

Why Can’t Movies Capture Genius? |Clive Irving |December 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In the absence of typical classrooms and curriculums, West Africans have opted for alternate methods of learning and education.

The Radio Battle to Educate Ebola’s Kids |Abby Haglage |December 11, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Courage, one recalls, is not the absence of fear but the ability to act in the face of it.

The Straight Hero of Cameroon’s Gays |Jay Michaelson |December 10, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

In the absence of ceremonial formalities, Francis favored a business-like manner.

Pope’s Blistering Attack on ‘Haggard’ Europe |Nico Hines |November 26, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
As the Will may assume in the absence of such affirmations, and in the direction of them, so it may in opposition to them.

Doctrine of the Will |Asa Mahan
By not beginning your absence till about the middle of this month I think you may manage it very well.

The Letters of Jane Austen |Jane Austen
Henry had kept me posted by letter, and it was very hard at times to explain his absence.

Uncle Daniel's Story Of "Tom" Anderson |John McElroy
Only in the absence of a common Gospel would each party have to take its own, and spare the other.

Studies of Christianity |James Martineau
The Indians were comparatively quiet, and he readily obtained a leave of absence.

Last of the Great Scouts |Helen Cody Wetmore

British Dictionary definitions for absence

absence

/ (ˈæbsəns) /

noun

the state of being away

the time during which a person or thing is away

the fact of being without something; lack

Word Origin for absence

C14: via Old French from Latin absentia, from absēns a being away

Medical definitions for absence

absence

[ ăb′səns ]

n.

petit mal

Idioms and Phrases with absence

absence

In addition to the idiom beginning with absence

absence makes the heart grow fonder

also see:

conspicuous by its absence

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

absence

noun

Origin of absence

ANTONYMS FOR absence

Words nearby absence

Example sentences from the Web for absence

British Dictionary definitions for absence

noun

Word Origin for absence

Medical definitions for absence

n.

Idioms and Phrases with absence

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

absence

noun

Origin of absence

ANTONYMS FOR absence

Words nearby absence

Words related to absence

Example sentences from the Web for absence

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for absence

noun

Word Origin for absence

Medical definitions for absence

n.

Idioms and Phrases with absence

British Dictionary definitions for absence