What is the Latin word for absence?

The usual Latin words for “absence” are absum, peregrīnātiō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“absence” in Latin

absumto be away, to be absent, to be distant; to stretch, be away from, be distant from (with ab + ablative); to be forbidden peregrīnātiōtravel, travel abroad, journey, stay in a foreign place; sojourn; pilgrimage

The English word absence itself goes back to Latin sum, through absentia.

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

absence

absentia. In his absence, dum aliquis abest; absente aliquo, or absens (in agreement with the person meant: in absentia or per absentiam alicujus, Curt., Justinus should not be imitated).

Absence abroad, peregrinatio.

Absence of mind, *animus varietate rerum diductus; *animus alienis rebus distentus (i. e., distracted with other thoughts). Leave of absence. Vid: FURLOUGH.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for absence?: The usual Latin words for “absence” are absum, peregrīnātiō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.