Absentminded: meaning, definitions and examples

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absentminded

[ˌæbsəntˈmaɪndɪd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

inattentive

Having or showing a lack of attention or care; forgetful.

Synonyms

distracted, forgetful, inattentive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
absentminded	Used to describe someone who is often lost in thought and unaware of what is happening around them. She stood there looking absentminded as the conversation went on without her
inattentive	Used when someone is not paying attention to a specific task or situation, suggesting a lack of focus. During the lecture, some students were inattentive and missed important information
forgetful	Describes a person who often forgets things, such as appointments, names, or tasks. My grandmother is becoming forgetful; she often forgets where she put her keys
distracted	Used when someone is unable to concentrate because their attention is taken by other things, often temporarily. He was distracted by the noise outside and couldn't focus on his homework

Examples of usage

He is so absentminded that he often forgets where he left his keys.
The absentminded professor walked into the wrong classroom again.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

unaware of surroundings

Lost in thought and not paying attention to what is happening around.

Synonyms

distracted, preoccupied, unfocused.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
absentminded	When someone is forgetful or inattentive, often lost in thought and not paying attention to their surroundings. She walked out of the house absentmindedly, forgetting to lock the door
preoccupied	When someone is deeply absorbed in their own thoughts or worries, making them less aware of what is happening around them. Laura seemed preoccupied with the upcoming exam and didn't notice her friend waving at her
distracted	When someone has their attention diverted away from the task at hand, often by an external factor. He was distracted by the noise outside and missed the key points of the lecture
unfocused	When someone is unable to concentrate or direct their attention effectively towards an objective, often appearing vague or scattered. His thoughts were unfocused, jumping from one idea to another without making much sense

Examples of usage

She was so absentminded that she walked right past her own house.
The absentminded driver didn't notice the red light.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word combines 'absent', meaning not present, and 'minded', referring to someone's way of thinking.
The earliest recorded use of 'absentminded' appeared in the late 18th century, becoming popular in English literature during the 19th century.

Psychology

People who often experience absentmindedness may show signs of overload in their cognitive load, struggling to manage multiple thoughts.
Absentmindedness can sometimes be linked to creativity, as highly creative individuals often focus intensely on their ideas, leading to forgetfulness about their surroundings.

Pop Culture

Characters like Professor Dumbledore from Harry Potter are often depicted as absentminded geniuses, emphasizing the trope of brilliant but forgetful individuals.
Absence of mind is a frequent comedic element in films where characters find themselves in silly situations due to their distraction.

Literature

Famous literary figures, such as Charles Dickens, often portrayed quirky, absentminded characters, highlighting the disconnection from reality.
Jane Austen's novels frequently showcase characters with absentminded traits, reflecting societal expectations of focus and responsibility.

Science

Studies in neuroscience show that absentmindedness often arises when the brain is multitasking, reducing focus on immediate tasks.
A phenomenon called 'inattentional blindness' describes how people can miss obvious things when their attention is diverted elsewhere.

Translations

Translations of the word "absentminded" in other languages:

🇵🇹 distraído

🇮🇳 अन्यमनस्क

🇩🇪 zerstreut

🇮🇩 pelupa

🇺🇦 розсіяний

🇵🇱 roztargniony

🇯🇵 うっかり

🇫🇷 distrait

🇪🇸 distraído

🇹🇷 dalgın

🇰🇷 건망증이 있는

🇸🇦 شارد الذهن

🇨🇿 roztržitý

🇸🇰 roztržitý

🇨🇳 心不在焉

🇸🇮 raztresen

🇮🇸 utan við sig

🇰🇿 алаңғасар

🇬🇪 გაფანტული

🇦🇿 düşüncəsiz

🇲🇽 distraído