vacant

1 of 2

adjective

va·​cant ˈvā-kənt 

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

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

vacantly adverb

vacantness noun

vacantness

2 of 2

noun

va·​cant·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being vacant

Synonyms of vacant

Adjective

• empty
• devoid
• barren

Choose the Right Synonym for vacant

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

Examples of vacant in a Sentence

Adjective

These lockers are all vacant.

The seat was left vacant when the secretary resigned.

He had a vacant expression on his face.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Since the pandemic, there has been discussion of additional conversion of vacant office space to apartments, which could bolster property tax dollars. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

Underscoring the concern was Johnson’s habit of announcing nominations immediately before deadlines that have the effect of the City Council feeling compelled to agree so that positions do not remain vacant. — Nik Hunder, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026

Kansas City is proposing a $100 million bond to support the city’s Housing Trust Fund, which aims to create and rehabilitate affordable housing in the city and address blight by renovating vacant properties. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026

Three principal positions still remain vacant as of Friday, July 17, according to data from the district provided to the Star-Telegram. — Samuel O’Neal 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English vacaunt, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin vacant-, vacans, present participle of vacāre "to be empty or unoccupied, have space, be free,"; perhaps akin to Hittite wakkāari "lacks," wakšyi- "be lacking"

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing vacant

• situations vacant
• vacant lot
• vacant possession

Rhymes for vacant

• secant

Kids Definition

vacant

adjective

va·​cant ˈvā-kənt 

1

: not filled, used, or lived in

a vacant house

2

: free from duties or care

a few vacant hours

3

: showing lack of thought

a vacant stare

vacantly adverb

Legal Definition

vacant

adjective

va·​cant

1

: not filled or occupied

2

a

: not put to use

vacant land

b

: having no heir or claimant

a vacant estate