Definition

1. Adjective:
   • To be absent; to be missing: Describes a person, thing, or phenomenon that is not present in a place where they are usually or expected to be.
   • To be gone; to have disappeared: Indicates that someone or something has left a particular sphere, scene, or activity, often for a notable period.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Ngôi sao điện ảnh này đã vắng bóng trên màn ảnh suốt ba năm. (This movie star has been absent from the screen for three years.)
  • Sự ủng hộ của công chúng dần vắng bóng. (Public support gradually disappeared.)
  • Anh ấy vắng bóng trong buổi họp quan trọng. (He was absent from the important meeting.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a nuance of a noticeable or regrettable absence, rather than a simple, neutral non-attendance. It is commonly used in formal, literary, or journalistic contexts to describe the disappearance of someone or something from public life, a competition, a tradition, or a familiar environment.
  • Chiếc xe đạp cũ đã vắng bóng khỏi con phố. (The old bicycle has gone missing from the street.)

Variants and Related Words

• Vắng mặt (adj): to be absent (more general, often for a specific event or roll call).

  • Học sinh đó vắng mặt hôm nay. (That student is absent today.)

• Biến mất (v): to vanish, to disappear (stronger, often sudden or complete).

  • Chiếc ví đã biến mất. (The wallet has vanished.)

Synonyms

• Absent: not present.
• Missing: not able to be found.
• Gone: no longer present.
• To have disappeared: to cease to be visible or present.

Related Idioms

• Vắng bóng chủ nhà: (literally: the host is absent) Used to describe a situation where the person in charge or the main figure is not present.
  • Buổi tiệc thật lộn xộn vì vắng bóng chủ nhà. (The party was chaotic because the host was absent.)