# absentmindedness

CEFR B2 · Noun

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

## Definition

the habit of forgetting things or not paying enough attention to what is happening around you. You might do this when you are thinking about something else.

For teachers: the state of being forgetful or inattentive, often resulting from a lack of concentration or a preoccupation with other thoughts.

## Examples

- His constant absentmindedness leads to many small mistakes.
- The professor's absentmindedness was famous; he would often leave his keys in the classroom or forget to wear his glasses.
- While some view his absentmindedness as a charming quirk, others find it frustrating when he fails to follow basic safety protocols or lose important documents.

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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.