Abwesend

Abwesend is a German adjective meaning not present or absent. It describes someone or something that is not currently at the designated place or part of a group, or a data point that is missing from a set. In attendance lists, schedules, and official notices, abwesend denotes an absence. Example: Er ist heute abwesend. The antonym is anwesend; a related noun is Abwesenheit, meaning absence.

The term is formed with the prefix ab- meaning away and the adjective wesend, which derives fromwesen (to be). It is closely linked to anwesend (present). In standard German, abwesend is spelled with lowercase letters in running text; Abwesend may appear with initial capital when used as a title or at the beginning of a sentence.

Usage notes: In everyday speech, speakers often use nicht anwesend or fehlt instead of abwesend, depending on register. In formal contexts, such as meetings, schools, or work rosters, abwesend is a common label in minutes, rosters, or notices to indicate an absence.

See also: Anwesend, Abwesenheit, Anwesenheit, Fehlen.