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Definition of absently

absently

/ˈæb.sənt.li/
ab · sent · ly
Adjective:absent
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absently Lexical Profile

absently Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

In an inattentive, preoccupied, or distracted manner, without paying full attention to one's immediate surroundings or actions.

Example

"She stirred her coffee absently while staring out the window and thinking about the upcoming lecture."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

absent
absentee
absenteeism
absently
absentminded
absentmindedly
absentmindedness

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in English from the adjective 'absent' plus the adverbial suffix '-ly'. The root 'absent' comes from Old French and Latin 'absentem', the present participle of 'abesse' (to be away from), from 'ab-' (away) and 'esse' (to be).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Absently. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/absently
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