Absence definition

ăbsəns
The condition of being absent, or away.
noun
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5
The time during which one is away.
noun
15
8
Absence is defined as a lack of something, or a situation where something or someone that is not present.

An example of an absence of knowledge is a lack of knowledge about geography.

noun
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0
The time of being away.
noun
7
5
The fact of being without; lack.

In the absence of evidence.

noun
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3
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(medicine) Temporary loss or disruption of consciousness, with sudden onset and recovery, and common in epilepsy. [First attested in the mid 20th century.]
noun
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The definition of absence refers to the period of time that someone or something is away or not present.

An example of an absence is a two week vacation.

noun
1
1
The state of being away.
noun
1
1
(fencing) Lack of contact between blades.
noun
0
0
Lack; want.

An absence of leadership.

noun
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1
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The state of being absent-minded; inattentiveness.

Absence of mind.

noun
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Inattentiveness.
noun
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A state of being away or withdrawn from a place or from companionship; the period of being away. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

noun
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1
Failure to be present where one is expected, wanted, or needed; nonattendence; deficiency. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]

He had an absence of enthusiasm.

noun
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Lack; deficiency; nonexistence. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]
noun
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1
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Inattention to things present; abstraction (of mind). [First attested in the early 18th century.]

Absence of mind.

noun
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
absence
Plural:
absences

Origin of absence

  • From Middle English absence, from Old French absence, ausence, from Latin absentia, from absēns (“absent”), present active participle of absum (“I am away or absent”), from ab (“from, away from”) + sum (“I am”).

    From Wiktionary

Absence Sentence Examples

  • His absence sucked the energy from the room and she stared down at the dishwater.

  • He explained the absence of his fangs.

  • You forget, I command them in the absence of my father and his most trusted warriors.

  • Her beautiful eyes no longer sparkled, and he was surprised to find he felt the absence of her warmth and liveliness.

  • The wavering is caused by the absence of accent on FUL, for she pronounces FULL correctly.

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Words near absence in the Dictionary