First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1empty
adjective emp·ty \ˈem(p)-tē\
: containing nothing
: not having any people : not occupied
: having no real purpose or value
emp·ti·eremp·ti·est
Full Definition of EMPTY
1
a : containing nothing <empty shelves> b : not occupied or inhabited <an empty building> c : unfrequented d : not pregnant <empty heifer> e : null 4a <the empty set>
2
3
: hungry
5
: marked by the absence of human life, activity, or comfort <an empty silence>
— emp·ti·ly \-tə-lē\ adverb
— emp·ti·ness \-tē-nəs\ noun
See empty defined for English-language learners
See empty defined for kids
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Origin of EMPTY
Middle English, from Old English ǣmettig unoccupied, from ǣmetta leisure, perhaps from ǣ- without + -metta (probably akin to mōtan to have to) — more at must
Related to EMPTY
Synonym Discussion of EMPTY
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>.
synonyms see in addition vain
2empty
verb
: to remove the contents of (something) : to make (something) empty
: to remove all of (something) from a container
: to become empty
emp·tiedemp·ty·ing
Full Definition of EMPTY
transitive verb
1
2
: to remove from what holds or encloses
intransitive verb
1
: to become empty <the theater emptied quickly>
2
: to discharge contents <the river empties into the ocean>
See empty defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of EMPTY
1548
3empty
noun
: an empty bottle or can
plural emp·ties
Full Definition of EMPTY
: something (as a bottle or can) that is empty
See empty defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of EMPTY
1865
EMPTY Defined for Kids
1empty
adjective emp·ty \ˈemp-tē\
emp·ti·eremp·ti·est
Definition of EMPTY for Kids
1
: containing nothing <an empty box>
2
: not occupied or lived in : vacant <an empty house> <an empty seat>
3
: not sincere or meaningful <an empty threat>
— emp·ti·ness noun <the emptiness of outer space>
Synonym Discussion of EMPTY
empty and vacant both mean not having anything inside. empty is used for a thing that has nothing in it at all. <He threw away the empty bag.> It may also be used instead of vacant. <The house sat empty until a new family moved in.> vacant is the opposite of occupied and is used of something that is not occupied usually only for a while. <That apartment is vacant right now.>
2empty
verb
emp·tiedemp·ty·ing
Definition of EMPTY for Kids
1
: to remove the contents of <Please empty the wastebasket.>
2
: to remove all of (something) from a container <Empty the flour into the bin.>
3
: to become unoccupied <The school quickly emptied.>
4
: to flow into <The river empties into the gulf.>
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