Word
absently
Phoneticsab·sent·ly
Definition
adv. to do something without thinking or paying much attention. You use this when you are distracted and not fully focused on the task at hand.
adv. in a way that lacks attention or awareness; performed without conscious thought or intention.
Examples
“He absently tapped his pen on the desk.”
“She absently picked at the hem of her dress while listening to the boring lecture.”
“The witness absently nodded as the lawyer spoke, failing to realize that his lack of engagement was being interpreted as a sign of guilt.”
Examples
simple
“He absently tapped his pen on the desk.”
contextual
“She absently picked at the hem of her dress while listening to the boring lecture.”
complex
“The witness absently nodded as the lawyer spoke, failing to realize that his lack of engagement was being interpreted as a sign of guilt.”
Etymology
From absent + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Rare
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/absently