absence Hear it!

absence Definition

ab·sence (ab′səns)

noun

  1. the condition of being absent, or away
  2. the time of being away
  3. the fact of being without; lack in the absence of evidence
  4. inattentiveness

Etymology: ME < OFr < L absentia: see absent

absence Synonyms

absence

n.

  1. The state of being elsewhere

    truancy, nonattendance, nonappearance, nonresidence, nonexistence, loss, vacancy, inattentiveness, absenteeism, cut*, hooky*. *

    Antonyms presence, appearance*, attendance. *

  2. The state of lacking something

    deficiency, need, lack, inadequacy; see lack 1.

absence Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • authorize: There were 5.8 % authorized absences and 0.9 % were unauthorized.
  • bemoan: Celebrities and their Amiga In a recent issue of Amiga Active, Jason Compton bemoaned the absence of celebrity endorsements to promote the Amiga.
  • manage: Most public sector organizations will have policies for managing absence.
  • explain: A written note to explain the absence should be sent on the child's return to school.

Converse of subject

  • hamper: The latter however is somewhat hampered by the absence of the logbook for the period July 1987 August 1991 from the Club library.
  • disappoint: I was particularly disappointed by an absence of software suitable for children.
  • characterize: Before World War I Britain and the US were characterized by an absence of militarism and to a considerable degree by lack of bureaucracy.

Adjective modifier

  • unauthorized: We are legally required to record all unauthorized absences.
  • unexplained: Unexplained absences will be followed up by the school Learning Mentor and/or the Education Welfare Officer.
  • prolonged: Prolonged absences from their place of work are likely to cost them dearly.
  • unavoidable: In the unavoidable absence of any parties in the hearing, the hearing may be postponed at the discretion of the Chair.
  • his/her: The Chairperson, or in his/her absence the Vice-Chairperson, shall preside at all meetings of the Committee.
  • conspicuous: The conspicuous absence of Barn Owls from regions far North & South of the Equator is probably due to its poor adaptation to cold.

Modifies a noun

seizure: During an absence seizure the child experiences a brief interruption of consciousness and becomes unresponsive.

Noun used with modifier

  • sickness: Obesity was the cause of 18 million days of sickness absence in England in 1998.
  • maternity: As with SMP, MA is payable only during the period of maternity absence for a maximum of 26 weeks.

Preposition: of

  • evidence: In the absence of any concrete evidence, how could any of us know for sure?
  • oxygen: The key to inert atmosphere soldering is really the ability to solder in the absence of oxygen.
  • litter: Graded " B " or good for its absence of litter.
  • agreement: In the absence of any agreement on many issues they have a difficult job.