# absentia

/æbˈsɛnʃə/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/absentia
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the state of being away from a place or not present in a situation. It is often used in legal or formal contexts to describe someone who is missing.

For teachers: the state of being away from a place or not present in a specific context. Often used in legal or formal registers to describe the absence of a person or entity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.