Absence vs. Absent — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 31, 2023
Absence is a noun referring to the state of being away; Absent is an adjective or verb describing someone or something not present.
Difference Between Absence and Absent
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Absence is a noun that describes the state or condition of being away or missing. For example, a student's absence from school indicates that they are not present. Absent, on the other hand, is primarily an adjective, used to describe someone or something not present. When a teacher notes a student is absent, they are describing the student's current state.
Absence can convey a lack, such as in emotional terms. One might talk about the absence of warmth in a relationship. Absent as an adjective could describe a component that is missing, such as an absent ingredient in a recipe.
Absence is often used in a broader, sometimes abstract sense. For instance, absence of evidence in a legal case. Absent, apart from being an adjective, can also be a verb. As a verb, it means to remove oneself, such as 'to absent oneself from a meeting'.
Absence can denote a period of time someone or something is away. For example, an employee might take a leave of absence. Absent as an adjective, describes the immediate state, like an absent colleague.
Absence carries a more formal and sometimes permanent connotation. It can imply a profound lack, such as the absence of a loved one. Absent, being an adjective or verb, is more immediate and temporary, describing a current but changeable state.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Adjective or Verb
Usage in a Sentence
"His absence was noticeable."
"He was absent from the meeting."
Connotation
Often formal or profound
Immediate, temporary
Application
State or condition of being away
Describing someone/something not present
Verb Form
Not applicable
"To absent oneself"
Compare with Definitions
Absence
Non-Attendance
His absence from work was due to illness.
Absent
Lacking
The recipe was good, but absent the spices, it was bland.
Absence
Lack of Presence
Her absence from the party was obvious.
Absent
Inattentive
She was absent-minded during the lecture.
Absence
The state of being away from a place or person
The letter had arrived during his absence
I supervised the rehearsal in the absence of the director
Absent
Away from a Place
He absented himself from the meeting.
Absence
The state of being away.
Absent
Missing Component
The absent ingredient affected the cake's flavor.
Absence
The time during which one is away.
Absent
Exhibiting or feeling inattentiveness
An absent nod.
Absence
Lack; want
An absence of leadership.
Absent
Not present; missing
Absent friends.
Absent parents.
Absence
The state of being absent-minded; inattentiveness
Absence of mind.
Absent
Not existent; lacking
A country in which morality is absent.
Absence
A state of being away or withdrawn from a place or from companionship
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Absent
To keep (oneself) away
They absented themselves from the debate.
Absence
The period of someone being away.
During Jane's absence, Mark will be taking charge.
Absent
Without
"Absent a legislative fix, this is an invitation for years of litigation" (Brian E. O'Neill).
Absence
Failure to be present where one is expected, wanted, or needed; nonattendance; deficiency.
Absent
(not comparable) Being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; not present; missing.
Absence
Lack; deficiency; nonexistence.
He had an absence of enthusiasm.
Absent
(not comparable) Not existing; lacking.
The part was rudimental or absent.
Absence
Inattention to things present; abstraction (of mind).
Absence of mind
Absent
(comparable) Inattentive to what is passing; absent-minded; preoccupied.
Absence
(medical) Temporary loss or disruption of consciousness, with sudden onset and recovery, and common in epilepsy.
Absent
(with definite article) Something absent, especially absent people collectively; those who were or are not there.
Absence
(fencing) Lack of contact between blades.
Absent
An absentee; a person who is not there.
Absence
A state of being absent or withdrawn from a place or from companionship; - opposed to presence.
Not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence.
Absent
In the absence of; without; except.
Absent taxes modern governments cannot function.
Absence
Want; destitution; withdrawal.
Absent
(reflexive) To keep (oneself) away.
Most of the men are retired, jobless, or have otherwise temporarily absented themselves from the workplace.
Absence
Inattention to things present; abstraction (of mind); as, absence of mind.
To conquer that abstraction which is called absence.
Absent
To keep (someone) away.
Absence
The state of being absent;
He was surprised by the absence of any explanation
Absent
Stay away; withdraw.
Absence
Failure to be present
Absent
Leave.
Absence
The time interval during which something or somebody is away;
He visited during my absence
Absent
Being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; not present.
Absence
Epilepsy characterized by paroxysmal attacks of brief clouding of consciousness (a possible other abnormalities)
Absent
Not existing; lacking; as, the part was rudimental or absent.
Absence
Emotional Void
The absence of affection made the relationship cold.
Absent
Inattentive to what is passing; absent-minded; preoccupied; as, an absent air.
What is commonly called an absent man is commonly either a very weak or a very affected man.
Absence
Missing Element
The absence of salt made the soup taste bland.
Absent
To take or withdraw (one's self) to such a distance as to prevent intercourse; - used with the reflexive pronoun.
If after due summons any member absents himself, he is to be fined.
Absence
Void or Gap
The painting's absence from the wall was noticeable.
Absent
To withhold from being present.
Absent
Go away or leave;
He absented himself
Absent
Not in a specified place physically or mentally
Absent
Lost in thought; showing preoccupation;
An absent stare
An absentminded professer
The scatty glancing quality of a hyperactive but unfocused intelligence
Absent
Not Present
He was absent from school today.
Common Curiosities
Is absence always physical?
No, absence can be emotional or conceptual, like an absence of warmth.
Is absence used in legal terms?
Yes, such as in the phrase "absence of evidence."
Can absent be a verb?
Yes, it means to remove oneself, as in "to absent oneself."
Can absent be used in a passive form?
Yes, in sentences like "He was absent due to illness."
Does absence always imply something negative?
Not always, context matters. Sometimes it's neutral or even positive.
Is absence only for short durations?
No, it can imply both short and long durations, even permanence.
Can absent be used as a noun?
No, absent is primarily an adjective or verb, not a noun.
Can absence refer to inanimate objects?
Yes, like the absence of a book from a shelf.
Can absent be an adverb?
No, it's not used as an adverb.
Is absent used in formal contexts?
It can be, but it's also common in casual language.
Is being absent from work the same as absence?
Being absent is the state, while absence is the period or condition of being away.
Can absence have emotional implications?
Yes, like in the absence of love or trust.
Does absent always mean physically not present?
No, it can also mean inattentive or preoccupied.
Is a leave of absence the same as being absent?
A leave of absence is a formal, usually longer period of being absent.
Does absence imply a choice?
Not necessarily, it can be involuntary.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
