hollower; hollowest
1
: having nothing inside : not solid
a hollow log
2
: curved inward or down
hollow [=sunken] cheeks
There was a hollow spot in the field.
3
: not having real value or meaning
They achieved a hollow victory over a team missing its best players. [=their victory was not an important or impressive one since the other team was missing its best players]
She made hollow promises. [=she made promises she would not keep]
Their threats ring hollow. = Their threats have a hollow ring. [=their threats do not seem truthful or sincere]
4
Note: A sound that is hollow is like the sound made when you hit something that is empty inside.
5
: weak and without any emotion
"It's useless," he said in a hollow voice.
a hollow laugh
plural hollows
1
: a place or area (especially on the ground) that is lower than the area around it
a grassy hollow
2
: an empty space inside of something
The owls nested in the hollow of a tree.
hollows; hollowed; hollowing
: to remove the inside of (something)
They hollowed the log to make a canoe.
—often used as (be) holloweda hollowed tree
Cite this Entry
“Hollow.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/hollow. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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