absence

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   The state of being away from a place, event, or duty where you are expected to be.

   Grammar: Use uncountable for the general state; use a/a for one instance or period away.

   Patterns

   • absence from something
   • in someone's absence
   • an absence of several days

   Her absence from class was noticed immediately.

   He returned after an absence of two years.

   In her absence, a colleague covered the front desk.

2. 2noununcountableformal

   The fact that something is missing, lacking, or not available, especially in formal contexts.

   Grammar: Usually follows in the absence of; it means “without,” not a physical trip away.

   Patterns

   • in the absence of something
   • the absence of evidence
   • an absence of clear rules

   In the absence of clear rules, confusion spread quickly.

   The absence of evidence does not prove the claim false.

   The project moved slowly in the absence of funding.

Word forms

Common combinations

absence from work

The manager recorded his absence from work without a note.

leave of absence

She requested a leave of absence to care for her father.

in the absence of

In the absence of rain, the farmers relied on wells.

conspicuous by its absence

Fresh vegetables were conspicuous by their absence at the market stall.

Synonyms and how they differ

lack

Use lack when the needed thing is missing; absence can also mean being away physically.

nonattendance

More limited to failing to attend an event, school, or meeting.

awayness

Rare and unnatural in everyday English; prefer absence.

Opposites

Word family

absent adjective

Not present, or seeming distracted.

absently adverb

In a distracted, inattentive way.

absent-minded adjective

Often forgetting or failing to notice everyday things.

Commonly confused: absence or absent?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “absence”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words