absence

ab-sence · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The state of being away from a place or person.

  2. 2.

    The nonexistence or lack of something.

  3. 3.

    A period of time when someone is away.

Forms

plural: absences

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    absence makes the heart grow fonder — Being away from someone increases affection for them.
  • •
    in the absence of — Without; lacking.
  • •
    leave of absence — Official permission to be away from work or duty.
  • •
    conspicuous by one's absence — Noticeably absent.

Related words

Antonyms: attendance, existence, presence
See also: absent, lack, presence
Synonyms: lack, nonappearance, nonattendance, want

Etymology

From Old French absence, from Latin absentia, from absens ("being away"), present participle of abesse ("to be away"), from ab- ("away") + esse ("to be").