Phrase guide

in absentia

prep_phrase · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

While not present; while absent

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: law

Examples

  • The defendant was convicted in absentia after fleeing during the trial.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

Absent in general; not present.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: possibly, proscribed

Qualifier: transferred sense

Examples

  • Since then, the ex-minister has been in absentia, likely relaxing on his private yacht.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adverb

Meaning 3

while absent; although absent

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he was sentenced in absentia

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin in absentia (“in absence”).

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Arabic: غِيَابًا (ḡiyāban) — while not present
  • Chinese Mandarin: 缺席 (quēxí) — while not present
  • Dutch: in absentia — while not present
  • Dutch: bij afwezigheid — while not present
  • Dutch: bij verstek — while not present
  • Finnish: poissaolevana — while not present
  • French: par contumace — while not present
  • German: in Abwesenheit — while not present
  • Greek: ερήμην (erímin) — while not present
  • Hungarian: távollétében — while not present
  • Icelandic: í fjarveru — while not present
  • Icelandic: að fjarstöddum — while not present
  • Indonesian: in absentia — while not present
  • Polish: in absentia — while not present
  • Russian: зао́чно (zaóčno) — while not present
  • Russian: в отсу́тствие (v otsútstvije) — while not present
  • Turkish: gıyaben — while not present