Absent: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe someone who is expected to be somewhere (like at work or school) but is not.

• John was absent from school today because he was feeling ill

Usually denotes that something or someone is lost or cannot be found. This can have a negative or urgent connotation.

• The child's toy has been missing for days
• Our cat went missing yesterday; we are very worried

Used to describe someone who is temporarily not at a certain place, often because they are traveling or on vacation.

• She is away on a business trip and will return next Monday

A formal or neutral way to indicate that someone or something is not in the expected place, often used in documents or formal situations.

• Three members were not present at the meeting
• The chairman was not present during the vote

Use when someone is physically not present.

• John is absent from school today.
• She was absent at the meeting yesterday.

Use when someone is unable to concentrate because their mind is on something else.

• He was distracted by the noise outside.
• She seemed distracted during the conversation.

Use when someone's mind is so focused on something else that they are not aware of their surroundings.

• She was too preoccupied with her work to notice the time.
• His preoccupied look worried his friends.

Use when someone is not paying attention to what they should be focusing on.

• The student was inattentive during the lecture.
• Her inattentive driving almost caused an accident.