Meaning & use
empty
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Having nothing or no one inside; not filled or occupied.
Grammar: Can be used before a noun (an empty box) or after a linking verb (the box is empty).
Patterns
- empty of something
- be empty
The bottle was empty, so I threw it away.
We found an empty seat near the window.
The streets were empty at that early hour.
adjectivecomparable
Lacking meaning, sincerity, or real value; not genuine.
Grammar: Often used with words like promise, words, gesture: an empty promise.
Patterns
- empty promise
- empty words
- empty gesture
His apology felt empty because he didn't change his behavior.
They made empty promises that they never kept.
verbtransitive
To remove the contents of something so that nothing remains inside.
Grammar: Takes an object: empty the bin. Also used with 'out': empty out the drawer.
Patterns
- empty something
- empty something out
- empty something of something
Please empty your pockets before the security check.
She emptied the dishwasher after breakfast.
He emptied the box of old letters.
verbintransitive
To become empty or to flow out until nothing remains.
Grammar: No object; often used with 'into' or 'out': The room emptied quickly.
Patterns
- empty into something
- empty out
The theater emptied within minutes after the show.
The river empties into the sea near the town.
Word forms
| comparative | emptier |
|---|---|
| superlative | emptiest |
| third person singular | empties |
| past tense | emptied |
| past participle | emptied |
| -ing form | emptying |
Common combinations
- empty room
- The house felt cold and quiet with so many empty rooms.
- empty promise
- Voters are tired of empty promises from politicians.
- empty the bin
- Could you empty the bin before you leave?
- empty of
- The streets were empty of traffic at midnight.
Synonyms and how they differ
- vacant
- Vacant is used for rooms, seats, or buildings that are available or not occupied; empty is more general and can mean containing nothing at all.
- bare
- Bare means without covering or decoration, not necessarily without contents; empty means there is nothing inside.
- hollow
- Hollow describes an object with a space inside, not one that contains nothing; empty is about lack of contents.
Opposites
Word family
- emptiness noun
- The state of being empty, either physically or emotionally.
- empty-handed adjective
- Bringing or gaining nothing.
Practice
The room was completely ______ when we arrived.
Choose one answer.
After the linking verb 'was', we need the adjective 'empty' to describe the room. 'Emptied' is a past participle and would suggest someone emptied the room; 'emptying' is a continuous verb form; 'empties' is a present-tense verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “empty”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.