vacant

va·cant

adj \ˈvā-kənt\

Definition of VACANT

1

: not occupied by an incumbent, possessor, or officer <a vacant office> <vacant thrones>

2

: being without content or occupant <a vacant seat on a bus> <a vacant room>

3

: free from activity or work : disengaged <vacant hours>

4

: devoid of thought, reflection, or expression <a vacant smile>

5

: not lived in <vacant houses>

6

a : not put to use <vacant land> b : having no heir or claimant : abandoned <a vacant estate>

— va·cant·ly adverb

— va·cant·ness noun

Examples of VACANT

1. These lockers are all vacant.
2. The seat was left vacant when the secretary resigned.
3. He had a vacant expression on his face.

Origin of VACANT

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin vacant-, vacans, present participle of vacare to be empty, be free

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to VACANT

Synonyms: bare, blank, clean, devoid, stark, toom [chiefly Scottish], empty, vacuous, void

Antonyms: full

Related Words: barren, hollow; available, clear, free, open; unfilled, unfurnished; unattended, uninhabited, unoccupied; abandoned, deserted, emptied, forsaken, vacated; depleted, drained, dry, exhausted

Near Antonyms: complete; replete; furnished, provided, supplied; filled, occupied; flush, overflowing, packed, teeming

see all synonyms and antonyms

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