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

If voters skip that step, the section of their ballot reserved for presidential candidates will be blank. — Ben Christopher, The Mercury News, "A million independent voters risk being irrelevant in California’s presidential primary," 24 June 2019 The Louis evokes a joyous sense of freedom and possibility by juxtaposing streams of color against a large central area of blank canvas. — Steven Litt, cleveland.com, "Edward Burtynsky photos at Cleveland Museum of Art document mankind’s troubled relationship with water," 23 June 2019 But the block between Nevada and Putnam streets is blank. — Heather Knight, SFChronicle.com, "SF property owners maintain streets that city rejects because they don’t meet standards," 14 June 2019 Now, one month into a leadership crisis sparked by a racist photo in his medical-school yearbook, the governor’s published calendar is blank. — Scott Calvert, WSJ, "A Month After Scandal, How Virginia’s Northam Governs," 1 Mar. 2019 Her expression was blank as her attorney, Stacey Schlimmer, pinned the January 2017 shooting on Frantz's son. — Max Londberg, kansascity, "On trial in Kansas for murdering her husband, defense points finger at her son," 6 July 2018 His bio is now blank on Twitter and his banner image is an American flag. — Don Reisinger, Fortune, "Michael Cohen Has Removed All Mention of Trump on His Social Media Accounts," 5 July 2018 The middle name section of Chi’s birth certificate is also blank, and Kim has never mentioned giving her youngest a middle name before. — Kara Nesvig, Teen Vogue, "Why Kim Kardashian's Potential Middle Name for Chicago Is Significant," 3 July 2018 And throughout the show up to this point, Offred’s Ceremonies with the Waterfords have been filmed as, indeed, ceremonial, a mechanical act throughout which everyone’s faces are eerily blank, as though in a trance or simply numb. — Emma Dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Handmaid's Tale Episode 9 Brings Resistance In Many Forms," 9 June 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Advances in hearing aids and cochlear implants mean some hear partly at loud concerts, with interpreters filing in the blanks. — Chris Kenning, The Courier-Journal, "ASL interpreters bring music to life for deaf concertgoers at festivals like Forecastle," 3 July 2019 Whether glowering with rage or segueing expertly from berating his staff to giving them a pep talk, Crowe's version of Ailes fills in the blanks of a script that is more detail-heavy than illuminating. — Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, "Showtime's 'Loudest Voice' falls short by giving Roger Ailes too much of a bully pulpit," 28 June 2019 Many are tempted to finish a stutterer’s sentences or fill in the blanks during a long pause, but that does not help. — Catie Wegman, sun-sentinel.com, "World’s largest gathering of people who stutter to meet in Fort Lauderdale," 21 June 2019 Invisible Places, a citywide installation, fills in blanks where Bauhaus buildings once stood. — Margo Pfeiff, latimes.com, "Exploring the birthplace of Bauhaus, a German movement that changed design," 16 June 2019 Host Steve Higgins would start reading a Google search phrase and each team would have to guess the blank to land one of the top three most popular results. — Nick Romano, EW.com, "Stranger Things cast face off in Jimmy Fallon's spin on Family Feud," 15 June 2019 But contemporary Tokyo was built quickly and haphazardly, its buildings, highways, and train lines pushed into blanks created by bombs and fire. — Neil Shea, National Geographic, "Tokyo became a megacity by reinventing itself," 12 June 2019 Mums was in her 70s when the diagnosis was made, and from this point in the book, the tale becomes one of growing despair, as Mulgrew’s irreverent, mischievous mother slowly becomes a blank. — Nora Krug, Washington Post, "Life beyond ‘Star Trek’: Kate Mulgrew’s poignant, sometimes shocking family story," 7 June 2019 Vow Mad Libs Print out traditional vows, leaving blanks for nouns, verbs, and adjectives. — Heather Hall, Harper's BAZAAR, "10 Bridal Shower Game Ideas You Won't Hate Playing," 5 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Including the game Tuesday, Oakland’s bullpen blanked the Cards in 8 2/3 innings. — Dave Luecking, The Mercury News, "Mengden rises to occasion as A’s shut out the St. Louis Cardinals," 26 June 2019 The Round of 16 concluded with Italy blanking China, 2-0, in Montpellier, and the Netherlands edging Japan, 2-1, in Rennes on Tuesday, confirming the rise of Europe and the demise of Asian powers in women’s soccer. — Frank Dell’apa, BostonGlobe.com, "European clubs continue to flex their power," 25 June 2019 Porcello had just blanked the Twins for seven innings, scattering four hits and striking out eight, and the Twins seemed energized by getting rid of him. — John Shipley, Twin Cities, "No magic for Twins in first meeting with defending champion Boston," 17 June 2019 In the semifinals, Wellington was blanked by the Parkland Pokers, 5-0. — Gary Curreri, sun-sentinel.com, "Wellington Colts reach tournament semifinals," 14 June 2019 Canada became the first non-Euro nation to move on, blanking New Zealand, 2-0, in Grenoble. — Frank Dell’apa, BostonGlobe.com, "Netherlands latest European team to advance at Women’s World Cup," 15 June 2019 The club qualified for the Southland Conference postseason tournament, thanks to a respectable 14-13 ledger, but the Lady Cardinals hit the exit doors pretty quickly when Northwestern State blanked Lamar 4-0 on just two hits. — Robert Avery, Houston Chronicle, "Two former Lady Mavs conclude their freshmen collegiate softball seasons at Lamar," 11 June 2019 Brazil, playing without Marta (thigh injury), blanked Jamaica, 3-0, in Grenoble. — Frank Dell’apa, BostonGlobe.com, "Italy, Brazil claim victories that were long time coming," 9 June 2019 Grafton 18, Southbridge 0 — Jess Evans went 5 for 5 with a double, home run and four RBIs, and Anna Bertrand was 4 for 5 with four RBIs as the Indians (1-0, 1-0 SWCL) blanked the Pioneers (0-1, 0-1). — Chris Bokum, BostonGlobe.com, "In front of MLB scouts, BC High star pitcher Mike Vasil just misses perfect game," 11 Apr. 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.