1. not present in a place or at an event
2. lacking or missing
3. showing lack of attention or concentration

1. to stay away from a place or event deliberately
Usage: formal

Examples

• Three students were absent from class today.
• She gave him an absent smile while thinking about something else.
• The defendant was notably absent from the trial.
• Any sense of humor was completely absent from his speech.
• He decided to absent himself from the meeting.
• Her absent expression showed she wasn’t listening.
• The teacher marked several students as absent.