absent-mindedly

Definition

Preoccupiedly; in an absent-minded manner.

Etymology

From absent-minded + -ly.

Example Sentences

• "Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, his hands clasped beneath the tails of his long coat, paces back and forth under the ever-watchful eye of his faithful secretary, Mr. Samuel T. Philander. Twice within the past few minutes he has started absent-mindedly across the tracks in the direction of a near-by swamp, only to be rescued and dragged back by the tireless Mr. Philander."
• "On the same highway, I once absent-mindedly cut in front of this enormous jacked-up pickup truck."