absentminded

Thân thiện

The absentminded professor left his keys in the refrigerator.

Definition

Adjective: 1. Lost in thought; showing preoccupation: Describes a person who is so deep in their own thoughts that they are not fully aware of their immediate surroundings or forgetful of routine matters. 2. Characterized by or resulting from a lack of attention: Often implies a habitual or characteristic tendency to be forgetful or inattentive due to being mentally elsewhere.

Usage Examples

• He gave an absentminded nod, clearly not hearing a word of the conversation.
• The absentminded professor often forgot where he left his glasses.
• She walked out of the store in an absentminded daze, leaving her purchases on the counter.

Advanced Usage

• "to be absentminded": To habitually exhibit this trait.
  • He can be so absentminded when he's working on a complex problem.
• "in an absentminded way/manner": Describing how an action is performed.
  • She stirred her tea absentmindedly, staring out the window.

Variants and Related Words

• Absentmindedly (adverb): In a manner that shows one is not paying attention.
  • He absentmindedly put the salt in the coffee.
• Absentmindedness (noun): The quality or state of being absentminded.
  • Her absentmindedness led to her missing the appointment.

Synonyms

• Preoccupied: Engrossed in thought.
• Distracted: Unable to concentrate because the mind is drawn elsewhere.
• Forgetful: Apt or likely not to remember.
• Abstracted: Lost in thought; removed in mind from immediate surroundings.

Antonyms

• Attentive: Paying close attention.
• Alert: Vigilantly attentive.
• Mindful: Bearing in mind; aware.

Idioms and Related Phrases

• To have one's head in the clouds: To be impractical, dreamy, or not paying attention.
  • Don't ask him for directions; he always has his head in the clouds.
• Miles away: Deep in thought and not aware of what is happening around you.
  • Sorry, I was miles away. What did you say?

Học thuật

Adjective

1. lost in thought; showing preoccupation
   • an absent stare
   • an absentminded professor
   • the scatty glancing quality of a hyperactive but unfocused intelligence

Từ đồng nghĩa

• absent
• abstracted
• scatty