absent-minded

or ab·sent·mind·ed

[ ab-suhnt-mahyn-did ]

adjective
  1. so lost in thought that one does not realize what one is doing, what is happening, etc.; preoccupied to the extent of being unaware of one's immediate surroundings.

Origin of absent-minded

1
First recorded in 1850–55

synonym study For absent-minded

Absent-minded, abstracted, oblivious all mean inattentive to immediate surroundings. Absent-minded suggests an unintentional wandering of the mind from the present: an absent-minded committee member. Abstracted implies that the mind has been drawn away from the immediate present by reflection upon some engrossing subject: an abstracted air. Oblivious implies absorption in some thought that causes one to be completely forgetful of or unaware of one's surroundings: oblivious of danger.

Other words for absent-minded

Opposites for absent-minded

Other words from absent-minded

  • ab·sent-mind·ed·ly, adverb
  • ab·sent-mind·ed·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use absent-minded in a sentence

  • With a grave face, as she absentmindedly tossed and spread the glorious mass of her glittering hair, Harriet sat on, pondering.

    Harriet and the Piper | Kathleen Norris

British Dictionary definitions for absent-minded

absent-minded

adjective
  1. preoccupied; forgetful; inattentive

Derived forms of absent-minded

  • absent-mindedly, adverb
  • absent-mindedness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012