absence
Americannoun
-
state of being away or not being present.
I acted as supervisor in his absence. Your absence was noted on the records.
- Antonyms:
- presence
-
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.
noun
-
the state of being away
-
the time during which a person or thing is away
-
the fact of being without something; lack
Etymology
Origin of absence
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin absentia; absent, -ia
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That absence has fueled skepticism about whether sponges truly originated as early as genetic evidence suggests.
From Science Daily
The absence of the other six products indicates that the molecules were not created by random chemical reactions in the environment.
From Science Daily
I took a leave of absence and recently changed to a position with less responsibility, but that did not help.
From MarketWatch
Despite in-line revenue and a profit beat for 4Q, investors are likely disappointed by the absence of a first dividend, the analysts say.
In the absence of clear state guidance, clerks proceeded inconsistently.
From Salon
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.
