Present vs. Absent — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 25, 2023

Present refers to being in a particular place, while Absent denotes the lack of presence or being elsewhere. Both describe a state of attendance or non-attendance respectively.

Difference Between Present and Absent

Table of Contents

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Key Differences

Present and Absent are antonyms that pertain to the state of being at a particular location or event. Present signifies that an individual or object is currently in the designated location or at the event in question. In contrast, Absent indicates the exact opposite, suggesting that the individual or object is not currently there.

Oct 25, 2023

Often, in academic and professional settings, the words Present and Absent are used to describe attendance. For instance, a teacher might mark students as Present if they're attending class, and Absent if they're not. It's a direct method to keep track of who's there and who's not.

Oct 25, 2023

In a broader context, Present can be a descriptor of someone's mental or emotional state, suggesting that they are mentally engaged and attentive to the situation. On the other hand, Absent can describe someone who might be physically present but whose mind seems distant or preoccupied, not truly engaged with their surroundings.

Oct 25, 2023

Moreover, Present can be used to indicate the existence of something in a particular scenario or environment. For example, certain elements might be present in a solution. Absent, in a similar context, would mean that the specific elements or factors are not found in the given environment.

Oct 25, 2023

Comparison Chart

Basic Definition

Being in a particular place

Not being in a particular place

Oct 25, 2023

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Usage in Attendance

Marked when an individual is attending

Marked when an individual is not attending

Oct 25, 2023

Mental State

Can indicate mental engagement and attentiveness

Can describe a state of being preoccupied or mentally distant

Oct 25, 2023

Existence

Indicates the existence of something in a scenario

Denotes the non-existence of something in a scenario

Oct 25, 2023

Grammatical Role

Often used as an adjective or adverb

Typically used as an adjective

Oct 25, 2023

Compare with Definitions

Present

Being in a particular place at a given time.

She was present at the meeting.

Oct 25, 2023

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Absent

Lacking or missing.

Empathy was absent from his response.

Oct 25, 2023

Present

Existing or occurring now.

Danger is present in every step of the journey.

Oct 25, 2023

Absent

Not existing in a particular place.

The ingredient was absent in the recipe.

Oct 25, 2023

Present

Paying attention or mentally engaged.

He was fully present during the meditation session.

Oct 25, 2023

Absent

Not in a particular place.

He was absent from the party.

Oct 25, 2023

Present

To introduce or show something.

I would like to present my findings to the board.

Oct 25, 2023

Absent

Not attending or participating.

Students absent today will need to make up the test.

Oct 25, 2023

Present

The present (or here and now) is the time that is associated with the events perceived directly and in the first time, not as a recollection (perceived more than once) or a speculation (predicted, hypothesis, uncertain). It is a period of time between the past and the future, and can vary in meaning from being an instant to a day or longer.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

Showing a lack of attention.

She had an absent look on her face.

Oct 25, 2023

Present

A moment or period in time perceptible as intermediate between past and future; now.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

Not present; missing

Absent friends.

Absent parents.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

The present tense.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

Not existent; lacking

A country in which morality is absent.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

A verb form in the present tense.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

Exhibiting or feeling inattentiveness

An absent nod.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Presents(Law) The document or instrument in question

Be it known by these presents.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

To keep (oneself) away

They absented themselves from the debate.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Pres·ent (prĕzənt) Something presented; a gift.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

Without

"Absent a legislative fix, this is an invitation for years of litigation" (Brian E. O'Neill).

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Pre·sent (prĭ-zĕnt) The position of a rifle or other weapon when presented.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

(not comparable) Being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; not present; missing.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Existing or happening now; current

The present leader.

Present trends.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

(not comparable) Not existing; lacking.

The part was rudimental or absent.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Being at hand or in attendance

Thirty guests were present at the ceremony.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

(comparable) Inattentive to what is passing; absent-minded; preoccupied.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Existing in something specified

Oxygen is present in the bloodstream.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

(with definite article) Something absent, especially absent people collectively; those who were or are not there.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Now being considered; actually here or involved

The present subject.

Present company excepted.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

An absentee; a person who is not there.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(Grammar) Designating a verb tense or form that expresses current time.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

In the absence of; without; except.

Absent taxes modern governments cannot function.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(Archaic) Readily available; immediate.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

(reflexive) To keep (oneself) away.

Most of the men are retired, jobless, or have otherwise temporarily absented themselves from the workplace.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(Obsolete) Alert to circumstances; attentive.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

To keep (someone) away.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To make a gift or award of

Presented the medal to the winner.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

Stay away; withdraw.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To make a gift to

Presented the winner with a medal.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

Leave.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To offer for observation, examination, or consideration; show or display

The detective presented his badge.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

Being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; not present.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To offer (a play, for example) for public entertainment.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

Not existing; lacking; as, the part was rudimental or absent.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To afford or furnish

The situation presented us with a chance to improve our knowledge.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

Inattentive to what is passing; absent-minded; preoccupied; as, an absent air.

What is commonly called an absent man is commonly either a very weak or a very affected man.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To turn or position in the direction of another

Presented his face to the camera.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

To take or withdraw (one's self) to such a distance as to prevent intercourse; - used with the reflexive pronoun.

If after due summons any member absents himself, he is to be fined.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(Immunology) To display (an antigen) on the cell surface. Used especially of cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells, where the displayed antigen activates T cells as part of an immune response.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

To withhold from being present.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To represent or depict in a certain manner

The movie presents bankers as greedy and coldhearted.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

Go away or leave;

He absented himself

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To introduce, especially with formal ceremony.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

Not in a specified place physically or mentally

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To introduce (a young woman) to society with conventional ceremony.

Aug 15, 2019

Absent

Lost in thought; showing preoccupation;

An absent stare

An absentminded professer

The scatty glancing quality of a hyperactive but unfocused intelligence

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To hold, carry, or point (a weapon) in a particular manner as a salutation or sign of honor, usually along the center axis of the body.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(Ecclesiastical) To recommend (a cleric) for a benefice.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To make a presentation.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To be evident or manifest. Used of a disease or condition

How Lyme disease presents in its later stages.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To exhibit symptoms or signs during a medical examination

The patient presented with headache and heel pain.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Relating to now, for the time being; current.

The barbaric practice continues to the present day.
The present manager has been here longer than the last one.
Up to the present day.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Located in the immediate vicinity.

Is there a doctor present?

Several people were present when the event took place.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(obsolete) Having an immediate effect (of a medicine, poison etc.); fast-acting.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(obsolete) Not delayed; immediate; instant.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(dated) Ready; quick in emergency.

A present wit

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(obsolete) Favorably attentive; propitious.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Relating to something a person is referring to in the very context, with a deictic use similar to the demonstrative adjective this.

In the present study,

The present article,

The present results.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Attentive; alert; focused.

Sorry, I was distracted just now, I'll try to be more present from now on.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

The current moment or period of time.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(grammar) The present tense.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

A gift, especially one given for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, graduations, weddings, or any other special occasions.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(military) The position of a soldier in presenting arms.

To stand at present

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To bring (someone) into the presence of (a person); to introduce formally.

To present an envoy to the king

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(transitive) To nominate (a member of the clergy) for an ecclesiastical benefice; to offer to the bishop or ordinary as a candidate for institution.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(transitive) To offer (a problem, complaint) to a court or other authority for consideration.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To charge (a person) with a crime or accusation; to bring before court.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(reflexive) To come forward, appear in a particular place or before a particular person, especially formally.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(transitive) To put (something) forward in order for it to be seen; to show, exhibit.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(transitive) To make clear to one's mind or intelligence; to put forward for consideration.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(transitive) To put on, stage (a play etc.).

The theater is proud to present the Fearless Fliers.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To point (a firearm) at something, to hold (a weapon) in a position ready to fire.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(reflexive) To offer oneself for mental consideration; to occur to the mind.

Well, one idea does present itself.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To come to the attention of medical staff, especially with a specific symptom.

The patient presented with insomnia.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To appear (in a specific way) for delivery (of a fetus); to appear first at the mouth of the uterus during childbirth.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To appear or represent oneself (as having a certain gender).

At that time, Elbe was presenting as a man.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(transitive) To act as presenter on (a radio, television programme etc.).

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(transitive) To give a gift or presentation to (someone).

She was presented with an honorary degree for her services to entertainment.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(transitive) To give (a gift or presentation) to someone; to bestow.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(transitive) To deliver (something abstract) as though as a gift; to offer.

I presented my compliments to Lady Featherstoneshaw.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(transitive) To hand over (a bill etc.) to be paid.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To display one's female genitalia in a way that signals to others that one is ready for copulation. Also referred to as lordosis behaviour.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

(fandom slang) In omegaverse fiction, to have one's secondary sex (alpha, omega, or beta) become apparent, typically at puberty.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Being at hand, within reach or call, within certain contemplated limits; - opposed to absent.

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Now existing, or in process; begun but not ended; now in view, or under consideration; being at this time; not past or future; as, the present session of Congress; the present state of affairs; the present instance.

I'll bring thee to the present business

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Not delayed; immediate; instant; coincident.

An ambassador . . . desires a present audience.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Ready; quick in emergency; as a present wit.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Favorably attentive; propitious.

To find a god so present to my prayer.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Present time; the time being; time in progress now, or at the moment contemplated; as, at this present.

Past and present, wound in one.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Present letters or instrument, as a deed of conveyance, a lease, letter of attorney, or other writing; as in the phrase, " Know all men by these presents," that is, by the writing itself, " per has literas praesentes; " - in this sense, rarely used in the singular.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

A present tense, or the form of the verb denoting the present tense.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Anything presented or given; a gift; a donative; as, a Christmas present.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

The position of a soldier in presenting arms; as, to stand at present.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To bring or introduce into the presence of some one, especially of a superior; to introduce formally; to offer for acquaintance; as, to present an envoy to the king; (with the reciprocal pronoun) to come into the presence of a superior.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the lord.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To exhibit or offer to view or notice; to lay before one's perception or cognizance; to set forth; to present a fine appearance.

Lectorides's memory is ever . . . presenting him with the thoughts of other persons.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To pass over, esp. in a ceremonious manner; to give in charge or possession; to deliver; to make over.

So ladies in romance assist their knight,Present the spear, and arm him for the fight.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To make a gift of; to bestow; to give, generally in a formal or ceremonious manner; to grant; to confer.

My last, least offering, I present thee now.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Hence: To endow; to bestow a gift upon; to favor, as with a donation; also, to court by gifts.

Octavia presented the poet for him admirable elegy on her son Marcellus.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To present; to personate.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To nominate to an ecclesiastical benefice; to offer to the bishop or ordinary as a candidate for institution.

The patron of a church may present his clerk to a parsonage or vicarage; that is, may offer him to the bishop of the diocese to be instituted.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To nominate for support at a public school or other institution .

Aug 15, 2019

Present

To appear at the mouth of the uterus so as to be perceptible to the finger in vaginal examination; - said of a part of an infant during labor.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

The period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech;

That is enough for the present

He lives in the present with no thought of tomorrow

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Something presented as a gift;

His tie was a present from his wife

Aug 15, 2019

Present

A verb tense that expresses actions or states at the time of speaking

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Show or demonstrate something to an interested audience;

She shows her dogs frequently

We will demo the new software in Washington

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Bring forward and present to the mind;

We presented the arguments to him

We cannot represent this knowledge to our formal reason

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Perform (a play), especially on a stage;

We are going to stage `Othello'

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Hand over formally

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Introduce;

This poses an interesting question

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Give, especially as a reward;

Bestow honors and prizes at graduation

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Give as a present; make a gift of;

What will you give her for her birthday?

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Deliver (a speech, oration, or idea);

The commencement speaker presented a forceful speech that impressed the students

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Cause to come to know personally;

Permit me to acquaint you with my son

Introduce the new neighbors to the community

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Represent in a painting, drawing, sculpture, or verbally;

The father is portrayed as a good-looking man in this painting

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Present somebody with something, usually to accuse or criticize;

We confronted him with the evidence

He was faced with all the evidence and could no longer deny his actions

An enormous dilemma faces us

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Formally present a debutante, a representative of a country, etc.

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Recognize with a gesture prescribed by a miltary regulation; assume a prescribed position;

When the officers show up, the soldiers have to salute

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Temporal sense; intermediate between past and future; now existing or happening or in consideration;

The present leader

Articles for present use

The present topic

The present system

Present observations

Time past

His youth is past

This past Thursday

The past year

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Spatial sense; being or existing in a specified place;

The murderer is present in this room

Present at the wedding

Present at the creation

Aug 15, 2019

Present

Currently being in front of someone.

The suspect is present in the lineup.

Oct 25, 2023

Common Curiosities

Can Present refer to a mental state?

Yes, someone can be physically present but mentally distant or preoccupied.

Oct 25, 2023

Can Present be used as a verb?

Yes, like when introducing or showing something: "She presented her findings."

Oct 25, 2023

Can something intangible, like emotions, be present or absent?

Yes, for instance, "Love was present in his actions" or "Fear was absent from her eyes."

Oct 25, 2023

Are Present and Absent opposites?

Yes, they're antonyms describing attendance and non-attendance respectively.

Oct 25, 2023

Is Absent always about physical presence?

No, it can also refer to being mentally distant or something lacking in a scenario.

Oct 25, 2023

In which settings are Present and Absent commonly used?

They're often used in academic and professional settings to denote attendance.

Oct 25, 2023

Can you be physically present but mentally absent?

Absolutely, it refers to being physically there but mentally preoccupied or distracted.

Oct 25, 2023

Can an object be described as Present or Absent?

Yes, like "The book is present on the shelf" or "The key is absent from the drawer."

Oct 25, 2023

Is Absent only used in negative contexts?

Not always. It neutrally indicates non-presence or lack of something.

Oct 25, 2023

Are Present and Absent adjectives?

Typically, yes. But "present" can also be used as a verb or noun in some contexts.

Oct 25, 2023

Is the opposite of Present always Absent?

In contexts of attendance, yes. But "present" has other meanings that might not directly oppose "absent."

Oct 25, 2023

What's another word for mentally absent?

"Distracted" or "preoccupied" are similar terms.

Oct 25, 2023

Can Absent be used in a positive context?

Yes, like when a negative factor or risk is absent, making a situation safer.

Oct 25, 2023

Is being present always a good thing?

Not necessarily. Context matters. Being present at a crime scene isn't a positive connotation.

Oct 25, 2023

Is it correct to say "Absent from duty"?

Yes, it indicates someone is not attending their duty or job.

Oct 25, 2023

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.