blank

\ 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

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

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 outthe music blanked out

2 : to become confused or abstracted —often used with outhis 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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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 The blank loaded crisply and responded well to both reaction lures and those requiring sensitivity. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, "Outdoor Life Editors’ Holiday Gift Guide," 20 Nov. 2020 Brigadier General Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo, who represented the military at a judicial panel of inquiry in Lagos on Nov. 14, said that the military only fired blank ammunition into the air. — William Clowes, Bloomberg.com, "Nigeria Denies CNN Report Saying Army Killed Protesters," 19 Nov. 2020 Ballots rejected as blank may also be the result of a false read if a voter has made an improper mark or used an improper marking tool. — Corey Williams, Star Tribune, "Minor discrepancies at heart of GOP effort to overturn vote," 19 Nov. 2020 Today, both Second Street and Greenwood Avenue are again blank canvasses. — Victor Luckerson, The New Yorker, "The Defacement and Destruction of Black Lives Matter Murals," 19 Nov. 2020 But anyone who’s stared at a blank screen while an important deadline creeps closer will laugh nervously at Kraft’s plight. — Washington Post, "In ‘Kraft,’ German author Jonas Lüscher pokes fun at Silicon Valley’s shiny elitism and rabid faith in technology," 18 Nov. 2020 But before Cody can even pull out of the driveway, Legarski shoots him point blank in the head. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, "Big Sky star Ryan Phillippe unpacks that WTF premiere twist," 18 Nov. 2020 Trump, like many of his fellow cable news casualties, watches television in the same blank and fulsome way that dogs might be said to listen to music. — David Roth, The New Republic, "The Littlest Prince," 17 Nov. 2020 When Laird Willis and his wife, Wendy, moved to Slidell in 2016, their new home had lots of blank walls. — Sarah Bonnette|contributing Writer, NOLA.com, "Slidell Art League salutes 2020 Artists of the Year," 15 Nov. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The Hoosiers closed Saturday’s game out for the third blank of Tom Allen’s head-coaching tenure. — Zach Osterman, USA TODAY, "No. 10 Indiana cruises past Michigan State to stay unbeaten and take Big Ten East lead," 14 Nov. 2020 The Hoosiers closed Saturday’s game out for the third blank of Tom Allen’s head-coaching tenure. — Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, "Defense dominates, Ty Fryfogle explodes as No. 10 Indiana cruises past Michigan State," 14 Nov. 2020 Myers isn’t alone in searching for a birth parent during this time of scary upheaval caused by the novel coronavirus, either to finally make a connection and fill a blank in the past, or to learn more about their health history. — Lisa Selin Davis Washington Post, Star Tribune, "Pandemic spurs hunt for long-lost parents, relatives — and their health histories," 28 Sep. 2020 Amid a surge of SPAC deals in 2020, Gores Group now plans to use its fourth blank-check company to take public a company estimated to be worth $16.1 billion in enterprise value. — Lucinda Shen, Fortune, "The private equity shop that took Twinkies public leads the largest SPAC merger yet," 23 Sep. 2020 Social Capital Hedosophia is seeking to raise $500 million for its fourth blank-check company per Bloomberg. — Lucinda Shen, Fortune, "The risks of Snowflake’s IPO," 16 Sep. 2020 Not only did the Wild blank on more opportunities, finishing 3-for-22 compared to Vancouver’s 4-for-19 showing, but less 5-on-5 action seemed to work against the Wild. — Sarah Mclellan, Star Tribune, "Wild players stunned by sudden end to season," 8 Aug. 2020 But to a neophyte that brief passage of time remains pretty much a blank. — Scientific American, "Skydiving Parachute Yank Is Comparable to Car Crash," 16 June 2020 An officer dressed all in black with plastic shin guards and elbow pads, dangling zip ties from his belt, pepper sprayed me point blank in the face. — Linda Tirado, The New Republic, "Police Blinded Me in One Eye. I Can Still See Why My Country’s on Fire.," 4 June 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Centennial goalie Gregg Stutz was the first goalie to blank all three opponents as the Cougars won their first state title. — David La Vaque Star Tribune, Star Tribune, "Boys' tournament legacy more than just Edina," 20 Oct. 2020 Her perfect game is the first for a Red Raiders pitcher since Amanda Renfro blanked Penn St. 2-0 on March 10, 2001. — Robert Avery, Houston Chronicle, "Courtesy of perfect game, Edmoundson’s softball season ends with Big 12 honors," 25 Mar. 2020 Behind goals from Eva Bergloff, Megan Putvinski, and Maggie Fitzgerald, the Panthers captured their first Division 2 South title since 1995, blanking Tri-Valley League rival Medway, 3-0, Sunday at Milford High. — BostonGlobe.com, "With the win, the Panthers (18-0-3) advance to Saturday’s state final against Winchester.," 18 Nov. 2019 The Scots also hold another record outright now, having blanked their opposition five times at World Cups. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Scotland breezes past Russia 61-0 to set up Japan showdown," 9 Oct. 2019 Ditka was often seen lighting up a cigar, and they were passed out in the locker room after the Bears blanked the Rams 24–0 in the NFC Championship Game. — SI.com, "A History of Football in 100 Objects," 28 Aug. 2019 The Aberdeen IronBirds closed out the month of July on a winning note Wednesday, blanking host Mahoning Valley, 2-0, in New York Penn League action in Ohio. — Randy Mcroberts, baltimoresun.com, "IronBirds close July with win, go 20-9 in month," 1 Aug. 2019 Matt Boswell fired a complete-game shutout as South Alabama blanked New Orleans 5-0 on Tuesday night at Stanky Field. — Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, "Matt Boswell, South Alabama blank New Orleans, 5-0," 26 Feb. 2020 But a successful conversion would’ve allowed the U.S. men's national team to avoid the ignominy of getting blanked on home soil. — Brian Straus, SI.com, "Sargent's Resilience Emblematic of USMNT's Growing Pains, Process," 9 Sep. 2019

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.

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Learn More about blank

Dictionary Entries near blank

Blanding's turtle

blank cartridge

Statistics for blank

Last Updated

29 Nov 2020

Cite this Entry

“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blank. Accessed 30 Nov. 2020.

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More Definitions for blank

blank

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of blank

(Entry 1 of 3)

: without any writing, marks, or pictures

: having empty spaces to be filled in with information : not yet written in or filled out

: without any recorded sound or information

blank

noun

English Language Learners Definition of blank (Entry 2 of 3)

: an empty space on a document where you put information

: a period of time that you cannot remember anything about

: a gun cartridge that is filled with powder but that does not contain a bullet

blank

verb

English Language Learners Definition of blank (Entry 3 of 3)

US : to keep (the opposing team) from scoring

British slang : to behave in an unfriendly way toward (someone you have been friendly with in the past) : to ignore or refuse to talk to (someone)

See the full definition for blank in the English Language Learners Dictionary

blank

\ ˈblaŋk

\

Kids Definition of blank

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : not having any writing or marks a blank page

2 : having empty spaces to be filled in a blank order form

3 : not showing emotion or understanding a blank look

blank

Kids Definition of blank (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an empty space in a line of writing or printing

2 : a paper with empty spaces to be filled in “Do you have your entry blank for the dog show?”— Beverly Cleary, Henry Huggins

3 : a cartridge loaded with powder but no bullet

4 : events or a time that cannot be remembered Everything after the accident is a blank.

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