Main Entry: ¹emp·ty

Pronunciation: \ˈem(p)-tē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): emp·ti·er; emp·ti·est

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ǣmettig unoccupied, from ǣmetta leisure, perhaps from ǣ- without + -metta (probably akin to mōtan to have to) — more at must

Date: before 12th century

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 \-tə-lē\ adverb

— emp·ti·ness \-tē-nəs\ 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>.

synonyms see in addition vain