absent
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ˈæbsənt/
KK: /ˈæbsənt/
adjective
Definition
Not being in a place or not existing; missing or lacking.
Example
The student was absent from class yesterday.
Conversation
Did you notice that Jane was absent from the meeting yesterday?
Yeah, I wondered why she didn't show up.
I hope everything is okay; she seemed really stressed last week.
Me too. I’ll reach out to her and check if she needs anything.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
missing
unavailable
lacking
Antonyms
present
attending
available
preposition
Definition
Not present in a place or situation.
Example
She was absent from the meeting yesterday.
Conversation
I noticed you were absent from the party last night.
Yeah, I had some stuff to take care of at home.
That makes sense, but we missed you there!
transitive verb
Definition
To stay away from a place or event, often intentionally.
Example
They absented themselves from the debate.
Tense Forms
Past: absented
Past Participle: absented
Conversation
Did you notice that Mark absented himself from the meeting yesterday?
Yeah, I thought it was strange since he usually attends everything.
I wonder if he was feeling unwell or just didn't want to be there.
Root Explanation
Absent → It is formed from "ab-" (meaning away) and "esse" (meaning to be). The word describes a state of being away or not present.
Memory Tip
Think of someone who is 'away' ('ab-') and therefore 'not being' ('esse') there — that's what absent means.
Visually Confused Words
unabsent
reabsent
assent
ascent
tabescent
sent
bent
albescent