hollow

²hollow

adj

hol·low·er\ˈhä-lə-wər\hol·low·est\-lə-wəst\

Definition of HOLLOW

1

: having an indentation or inward curve : concave, sunken

2

: having a cavity within <a hollow tree>

3

: lacking in real value, sincerity, or substance : false, meaningless <hollow promises> <a victory over a weakling is hollow and without triumph — Ernest Beaglehole>

4

: reverberating like a sound made in or by beating on a large empty enclosure : muffled

— hol·low·ly \ˈhä-lō-lē, -lə-lē\ adverb

— hol·low·ness noun

Examples of HOLLOW

1. There was a hollow spot in the field.
2. <there's a noticeably hollow spot in the mattress where he has been sleeping>

Origin of HOLLOW

Middle English holw, holh, from holh hole

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to HOLLOW

Synonyms: concave, dented, depressed, dished, indented, recessed, sunken

Antonyms: bulging, cambered, convex, protruding, protrusive, protuberant

Related Words: alveolar, cavernous, crescentic, cuplike, cupped, cuppy, recurved; dimpled, pockmarked; compressed, condensed, contracted, diminished, reduced

Near Antonyms: ballooning, bloated, blown up, bulbous, distended, enlarged, expanded, extended, inflated, jutting, projecting, puffed, puffy, risen, swollen; domed, global, globular, round, rounded, spherical

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See Synonym Discussion at vain

Rhymes with HOLLOW

follow, hollo, swallow, wallow