Absence: meaning, definitions and examples

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absence

[ˈæbsəns ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in a meeting

The state of being away or not present.

Synonyms

lack, missing, nonattendance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
absence	Refers to the state of being away or not present at a specific place or situation, often used in formal or general contexts. Her absence was noticed during the meeting. The absence of sunlight made the room feel gloomy.
nonattendance	A formal term used particularly in the context of events, meetings, or educational settings to describe someone not attending. Students' nonattendance must be reported by their teachers. Nonattendance at the workshop will result in a loss of credit.
missing	Used when something is not in its expected place or when a person is not accounted for, typically in everyday situations. One of the puzzle pieces is missing. Our cat has been missing for two days.
lack	Indicates a situation where something necessary or desired is not available or insufficient, often used to describe deficiencies. There's a lack of evidence to support his claims. The project failed due to a lack of funding.

Examples of usage

He apologized for his absence from the meeting.
She noticed his absence and wondered where he was.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

school

The failure to attend or participate in classes or other scheduled activities.

Synonyms

default, nonappearance, truancy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
absence	General term to describe the state of being away or not present. His absence was noted by everyone at the meeting. The absence of rain created a drought.
truancy	Specifically refers to the act of staying away from school without permission; has a negative connotation. Truancy can lead to serious academic consequences for students. The school has a strict policy for dealing with truancy.
nonappearance	Formal way to describe someone not attending a scheduled event or place. The judge issued a warrant due to the defendant's nonappearance in court. Her nonappearance at the party was unexpected.
default	Used regarding failure to meet obligations, especially financial or legal ones; can have a negative connotation. The bank will take possession of the house if you default on your mortgage. The team lost the match by default when they didn’t show up.

Examples of usage

His grades suffered due to his frequent absence from school.
The teacher called the parents to discuss the student's absences.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

work

The fact of not being present or available at work, especially without good reason.

Synonyms

missing, nonappearance, nonattendance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
absence	Use this word when something or someone is not present where they are expected to be. It's a neutral term. Her absence from the meeting was noted The absence of evidence makes it hard to proceed
nonattendance	A formal term often used in academic or professional settings, indicating someone's failure to attend an event or obligation. Nonattendance at lectures affects grades His nonattendance at the board meeting was noted
nonappearance	A more formal term used primarily in legal or official contexts, indicating someone's failure to appear where expected. The nonappearance of the witness delayed the trial The contract was voided due to nonappearance of the signer
missing	This term often conveys a sense of concern or urgency, implying that something or someone should be there but is not. The child was reported missing There is a missing document in the file

Examples of usage

Her repeated absence from work led to her dismissal.
The company has strict policies regarding employee absences.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'absence' comes from the Latin 'absentia', meaning 'a being away'.
In the 14th century, 'absence' began to be used in English and signified a state of being away from a place.
Related words include 'absent' and 'absentee', both stemming from the same Latin root.

Psychology

Psychologically, the concept of absence can create feelings of longing or nostalgia for what is missing.
Research shows that absence, especially of loved ones, can lead to increased anxiety and depression in some individuals.
Sometimes, the fear of absence in relationships is termed 'abandonment anxiety', affecting how people connect with others.

Literature

In literature, absence often represents deeper themes of loss, longing, and the passage of time, commonly used in poetry and novels.
Famous works often explore the emotional effects of absence, such as in Shakespeare's sonnets where love is often tied to the pain of absence.
In modern literature, characters frequently grapple with the idea of absence, shaping their identities and motivations.

Art

Artworks often depict absence through negative space, conveying emotion by what is not shown.
Some artists use absence symbolically to evoke feelings of loss or the passage of time in paintings and installations.
Modern art often embraces absence, encouraging viewers to reflect on the missing elements and their significance.

Culture

Different cultures view absence differently; some see it as a temporary state, while others view it as a profound loss worth mourning.
In various traditions, absence can be celebrated through rituals that honor those who are missing, acknowledging their ongoing presence in memory.
In storytelling, the absence of a character can drive conflict, highlighting their importance to the narrative even when they are not physically present.

Translations

Translations of the word "absence" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ausência

🇮🇳 अनुपस्थिति

🇩🇪 Abwesenheit

🇮🇩 ketidakhadiran

🇺🇦 відсутність

🇵🇱 nieobecność

🇯🇵 不在 (ふざい)

🇫🇷 absence

🇪🇸 ausencia

🇹🇷 yokluk

🇰🇷 부재 (bujae)

🇸🇦 غياب

🇨🇿 nepřítomnost

🇸🇰 neprítomnosť

🇨🇳 缺席 (quēxí)

🇸🇮 odsotnost

🇮🇸 fjarvera

🇰🇿 жоқ болу

🇬🇪 გარეგნობა

🇦🇿 yoxluq

🇲🇽 ausencia

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,176, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.

...
1173 internal
1174 running
1175 none
1176 absence
1177 stop
1178 directed
1179 ship
...