# absentmindedly

/ˌæbsəntmˈaɪndɪdli/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adverb

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

## Definition

doing something without thinking about it or paying attention to what you are doing. You might do this when you are busy or distracted.

For teachers: performing an action without conscious thought or attention to the details of the task. Often used to describe habitual behaviors that occur automatically.

## Examples

- He absentmindedly tapped his pen on the desk.
- She absentmindedly opened the fridge and took out a bottle of milk without looking at the expiration date.
- The professor absentmindedly corrected a minor error in the lecture notes while simultaneously answering a student's question about the upcoming exam.

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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.