empty

One entry found for empty.

Main Entry: ¹emp·ty
Pronunciation: 'em(p)-tE
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): emp·ti·er; -est
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English [AE]mettig unoccupied, from [AE]metta leisure, perhaps from [AE]- without + -metta (probably akin to mOtan to have to) -- more at MUST
1 a : containing nothing <empty shelves> b : not occupied or inhabited <an empty building> c : UNFREQUENTED d : not pregnant <empty heifer> e : NULL 4a <the empty set>
2 a : lacking reality, substance, meaning, or value : HOLLOW <an empty pleasure> b : destitute of effect or force <an empty threat> c : devoid of sense : FOOLISH
3 : HUNGRY
4 a : IDLE <empty hours> b : having no purpose or result : USELESS
5 : marked by the absence of human life, activity, or comfort <an empty silence>
- emp·ti·ly /-t&-lE/ adverb
- emp·ti·ness /-tE-n&s/ noun
synonyms EMPTY, VACANT, BLANK, VOID, VACUOUS mean lacking contents which could or should be present. EMPTY suggests a complete absence of contents <an empty bucket>. VACANT suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants <a vacant apartment>. BLANK stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface <a blank wall>. VOID suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine <a statement void of meaning>. VACUOUS suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance <a vacuous facial expression>. synonym see in addition VAIN