blank

adjective

\ ˈblaŋk

Definition of blank

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 archaic : colorless

2a : appearing or causing to appear dazed, confounded, or nonplussed stared in blank dismay

b : expressionless a blank stare

3a : devoid of covering or content a blank space : such as

(1) : free from writing or marks a blank sheet of paper

(2) : without any recorded sound or information a blank drive/DVD/disk

b : having spaces to be filled in a blank application form — see also blank check

c : lacking interest, variety, or change blank hours

4 : absolute, unqualified a blank refusal

5 : unfinished especially : having a plain or unbroken surface where an opening is usual a blank key a blank arch

blank

noun

Definition of blank (Entry 2 of 3)

1 obsolete : the bull's-eye of a target

2a : an empty space (as on a paper)

b : a paper with spaces for the entry of data an order blank

3a : a piece of material prepared to be made into something (such as a key) by a further operation

b : a cartridge loaded with propellant and a seal but no projectile

4a : an empty or featureless place or space my mind was a blank

b : a vacant or uneventful period a long blank in history

5 : a dash substituting for an omitted word

blank

verb

blanked; blanking; blanks

Definition of blank (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : obscure, obliterate blank out a line

b : to stop access to : seal blank off a tunnel

2 : to keep (an opponent) from scoring were blanked for eight innings

3 British slang : to treat (a friend or acquaintance) in a hostile or unfriendly way : to ignore or refuse to talk to (someone) And unpopular Gardiner has found himself isolated after the show's cast and crew blanked him.— Mark Jefferies

intransitive verb

1 : fade —usually used with out the music blanked out

2 : to become confused or abstracted —often used with out his mind blanked out momentarily

Other Words from blank Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about blank

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Synonyms & Antonyms for blank

Synonyms: Adjective

catatonic, deadpan, empty, expressionless, impassive, inexpressive, numb, stolid, vacant

Synonyms: Noun

document, form, paper

Antonyms: Adjective

demonstrative, expressive

Choose the Right Synonym for blank

Adjective

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 blank in a Sentence

Adjective

a blank sheet of paper a book with blank pages

Noun

The form has a blank for your signature. The actors are shooting blanks.

Verb

The goalie blanked the Falcons for two periods in the hockey game.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Either way, the onset of a new year is like a blank canvas ready to be filled with your ideas. — Maya Allen, Marie Claire, "Beyoncé's Makeup Artist Says These Will Be the Coolest Makeup Trends of 2019," 23 Jan. 2019 Some companies have chosen to go blank in Europe instead of having to comply with the expansive privacy regulations, including websites such as Unroll.me and Klout. — Rick Noack, latimes.com, "European Union's new privacy law made some websites go dark today. Here's what else has changed," 25 May 2018 Some companies have chosen to go blank in Europe instead of having to comply with the expansive privacy regulations, including websites such as Unroll.me and Klout. — Brian Fung, Washington Post, "Why you’re getting flooded with privacy notifications in your email," 25 May 2018 At a panel for Isle of Dogs at SXSW this year, one man got in line to ask a question, was at the mike and then his mind went completely blank. — Carly Mallenbaum, USA TODAY, "'Westworld' is latest panel to be killed by fan questions: Here are a few others," 22 Apr. 2018 Karina had to drag me into the store, where my mind went suddenly blank when the clerk approached us. — Lilah Sturges, Teen Vogue, "A MAC Lipstick Helped Me With My Gender Transition," 28 Mar. 2018 When closed, the front display looks very small compared to the body of the phone, with maybe a full 25 percent of the top of the device left as blank space. — Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, "Samsung’s foldable phone is real, and it launches next year," 7 Nov. 2018 Powerful: @washingtonpost have printed a blank space where Jamal Khashoggi’s column should be, after his disappearance. — Kayla Webley Adler, Marie Claire, ""It Shouldn’t Be a Crime In This World to Speak Your Mind"," 17 Oct. 2018 The campaign, in Mad Libs style, subbed out Venmo’s name for a blank space. — Peter Rudegeair, WSJ, "Venmo Looks to New Leader to Overcome ‘Growing Pains’," 22 Sep. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Human memory is faulty enough that not everyone who puts forth a statement ought to be believed point-blank. — Brian Resnick, Vox, "Donald Trump’s attack on Christine Blasey Ford’s memory is cruel — and wrong," 3 Oct. 2018 But La Roja should have gone in ahead at half-time, with Iniesta's square pass missing Diego Costa's outstretched right boot by millimetres from point blank. — Patrick Galey, chicagotribune.com, "Last-gasp Aspas sees Spain draw 2-2 with Morocco," 25 June 2018 From there, players can fill in the blanks about how their Sims would pursue viral fame. — Megan Farokhmanesh, The Verge, "The Sims 4 will soon let you live out your influencer dreams," 18 Oct. 2018 Donaldson and other doomsayers, Haeussler implied, are shooting blanks in the dark. — Logan Jenkins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Mystery shrouds the future of historic Liberty Station chapel," 28 May 2018 Apps hang, maps blank, downloads stall, calls drop, messages fail, irritation ensues. — Christopher Mims, WSJ, "The Sticky Wi-Fi Problem: Why Your Phone Hangs Up on You," 6 Dec. 2018 Point blank: If this was a different event, the experts would have different feelings. — Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, "Body Language Experts Analyze Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's First Event with Her Mom, Doria," 24 Sep. 2018 Before free agency revved up, the company had virtual images for several teams ready to go and increased the number of blanks on-hand for every one of James’ possible destinations, based on Vegas odds. — Cam Wolf, GQ, "LeBron James’s L.A. Lakers Jersey Is Already a Best-Seller," 2 July 2018 Schmidt said decisions to fire blanks during drills would be made on a school-by-school basis. — Tegan Hanlon, Anchorage Daily News, "Yes to keyless locks, no to armed teachers: How an Anchorage School District panel suggests keeping students safe," 6 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

After getting blanked by Post Oak Thursday night, Pearland East had run out of wiggle room. — Robert Avery, Houston Chronicle, "Pearland East 12s collect sorely-needed Section 3 victory," 7 July 2018 North Springs finished bracket play at states with a 3-0 record before blanking West Pasco for the title. — Gary Curreri, Sun-Sentinel.com, "North Springs Little League Senior Division All-Stars capture state title," 10 July 2018 Cody Durham doubled and earned the win as Pennsville blanked Glassboro, 8-0, in the South Group 1 final. — Lauren Green, Philly.com, "Friday's South Jersey roundup: Gloucseter Catholic advances to South Non-Public B title," 1 June 2018 Episcopal did not allow a goal during the tournament, blanking Cistercian 1-0 and St. Mark's 4-0 to reach its fourth consecutive final. — Jack Marrion, Houston Chronicle, "St. John's, Kinkaid lead Houston SPC winter sweep," 23 Feb. 2018 Rockies starter Jon Gray, who blanked San Diego in a complete game exactly a year earlier, threw five pristine innings. — Dennis Lin, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Emotional victory for Solarte, Padres," 18 Sep. 2017 After blanking the Mets in New York on Saturday and Sunday, the Rays outslugged the Tigers 10-9 in 10 innings Monday night. — Mark Didtler, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Hot-hitting Wilson Ramos powers Rays past Tigers," 11 July 2018 In a pretty severe awards show slump (unmerited, in this writer’s opinion!), both shows were completely blanked. — Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "Winners: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Netflix, and old people. Losers: Atlanta and The Handmaid’s Tale.," 18 Sep. 2018 Track & Field News projects the Ducks to get blanked in the 100 and score a total of 11 points in the 200 and 400 (sixth for Williams in the 200, third for Dunmore and seventh for Waller in the 400). — OregonLive.com, "Women take over at Hayward, and Ducks look for a better day; Oregon track & Field rundown," 7 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'blank.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.