Main Entry:

va·cant

Pronunciation:

\ˈvā-kənt\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

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

Date:

14th century

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>

synonyms see empty

— va·cant·ly adverb

— va·cant·ness noun