æbˈsɛnt æbˈsɛnt æbˈsɛnt əb.ˈstɹæk.tɪd əb.ˈstɹæk.tɪd ˈlækɪŋ ˈmɪsɪŋ ɹɪˈmuːv lost in thought; showing preoccupation an absent stare an absentminded professor the scatty glancing quality of a hyperactive but unfocused intelligence stay away or leave He absented himself nonexistent the thumb is absent her appetite was lacking not being in a specified place