blank

¹blank

adjective \ˈblaŋk\

Definition of BLANK

1

archaic : colorless

2

a : appearing or causing to appear dazed, confounded, or nonplussed <stared in blank dismay>

b : expressionless <a blank stare>

3

a : devoid of covering or content; especially : free from writing or marks <blank paper>

b : having spaces to be filled in

c : lacking interest, variety, or change <blank hours>

4

: absolute, unqualified <a blank refusal>

5

: unfinished; especially : having a plain or unbroken surface where an opening is usual <a blank key> <a blank arch>

— blank·ly adverb

— blank·ness noun

Examples of BLANK

1. a blank sheet of paper
2. a book with blank pages

Origin of BLANK

Middle English, from Anglo-French blanc colorless, white, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German blanch white; probably akin to Latin flagrare to burn — more at black

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BLANK

Synonyms

catatonic, deadpan, empty, expressionless, impassive, inexpressive, numb, stolid, vacant

Antonyms

demonstrative, expressive

Related Words

dull, vacuous, vague, vapid; enigmatic (also enigmatical), impenetrable, inscrutable, mysterious; motionless, static, still, wooden; reserved, restrained, reticent, taciturn; aloof, apathetic, cold, cool, detached, indifferent, phlegmatic, unresponsive

Near Antonyms

engaged, interested, responsive; active, alive, animated, bright, busy, dynamic, effervescent, energetic, expansive, exuberant, lively, vivacious; eloquent, revealing, revelatory; gestic, gesticulant, gesticulative, gesticulatory, gestural; emotional, melodramatic, theatrical (also theatric), unreserved, unrestrained

See Synonym Discussion at empty

Rhymes with BLANK

bank, clank, crank, dank, flank, franc, frank, hank, lank, plank, prank, rank, shank, spank, stank, swank, tank, thank, yank, Yank

²blank

noun

Definition of BLANK

1

obsolete : the bull's-eye of a target

2

a : an empty space (as on a paper)

b : a paper with spaces for the entry of data <an order blank>

3

a : a piece of material prepared to be made into something (as a key) by a further operation

b : a cartridge loaded with propellant and a seal but no projectile

4

a : an empty or featureless place or space <my mind was a blank>

b : a vacant or uneventful period <a long blank in history>

5

: a dash substituting for an omitted word

Examples of BLANK

1. The form has a blank for your signature.
2. The actors are shooting blanks.

First Known Use of BLANK

1554

Related to BLANK

Synonyms

form, document, paper

Related Words

instrument, writ; filing; sheet

Near Antonyms

fullness (also fulness), repleteness

³blank

verb

Definition of BLANK

transitive verb

1

a : obscure, obliterate <blank out a line>

b : to stop access to : seal <blank off a tunnel>

2

: to keep (an opponent) from scoring <were blanked for eight innings>

intransitive verb

1

: fade —usually used with out <the music blanked out>

2

: to become confused or abstracted —often used with out <his mind blanked out momentarily>

Examples of BLANK

1. The goalie blanked the Falcons for two periods in the hockey game.

First Known Use of BLANK

circa 1765