absently

/ˈæbsəntli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈæbsəntli/ (ame, ipa)

absently — adverb

1. with your thoughts somewhere else, so you hardly notice the people, sounds, or e

1.副詞B2
釋義

with your thoughts somewhere else, so you hardly notice the people, sounds, or events near you

例句

Tomás stirred his tea absently while rereading the message from the hospital.

absently + routine action while the mind is elsewhere

Shanti nodded absently and signed the form without hearing the full explanation.

nodded absently + second action showing missed attention

同義詞
  • distractedly

    broader; often suggests something around you is pulling your attention away

  • dreamily

    suggests pleasant imagination rather than ordinary distraction

  • absent-mindedly

    very close in meaning, often with a slightly stronger sense of forgetfulness

反義詞
  • attentively

    shows active attention to what is in front of you

  • carefully

    emphasises deliberate attention and avoidance of mistakes

文法句型

verb + absently

absently + verb of touching, looking, or answering

用法筆記

Usually modifies small everyday actions such as stirring, nodding, rubbing, or answering. It suggests the person is present physically but mentally occupied by a different thought, worry, or memory.

常見錯誤

❌He stared absent at the screen during the meeting.
✅He stared absently at the screen during the meeting.
💡After a verb, the adverb form is needed to describe how he stared.
❌She answered absently because she was not in the office.
✅She answered absently because she was thinking about something else.
💡'Absently' describes distracted attention, not physical absence.