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Meaning & use

void

noun, adjective, verb·Advanced

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UK/vɔɪd/
US/vɔɪd/

Meanings

  1. nounusually singular

    A large empty space, or the feeling that something important is missing.

    Grammar: Usually with the or a: fill the void.

    Patterns

    • fill the void
    • a void in something

    The astronaut stared into the void of space.

    His death left a void in her life.

    The shop closing left a void in the neighborhood.

  2. adjectiveafter a verblegal

    Having no legal force, so that it cannot be enforced.

    Grammar: Usually after a verb: the contract is void.

    Patterns

    • null and void
    • declare something void

    The contract was declared void.

    A ticket is void if it is torn.

    The judge ruled the marriage void.

  3. adjectiveafter a verbformal

    Completely lacking something; empty.

    Grammar: Followed by of: void of feeling.

    Patterns

    • void of something

    Her speech was void of any real ideas.

    The room seemed void of life.

    He gave a void answer.

  4. verbtransitivelegal

    To make something legally invalid or cancel it.

    Grammar: Takes an object: void a contract.

    Patterns

    • void something

    Using the wrong parts will void your warranty.

    The court voided the agreement.

    Tampering with the seal voids the guarantee.

Word forms

pluralvoids
third person singularvoids
past tensevoided
past participlevoided
-ing formvoiding

Common combinations

fill the void
Music helped fill the void.
null and void
The agreement is now null and void.
void a warranty
Opening the case voids the warranty.
empty void
A cold, empty void stretched ahead.
void of
The area is void of trees.

Synonyms and how they differ

emptiness
Emptiness is the state of being empty and is more general.
vacuum
Vacuum suggests absence of matter or, figuratively, of leadership.
invalid
Invalid is the adjective for not accepted by rules or law.
annul
Annul is a formal verb for declaring something legally ended.

Opposites

validfull

Word family

avoid verb
unrelated in meaning, from a different source
voidable adjective
able to be cancelled in law
voidance noun
the act of cancelling or emptying

Commonly confused: void or avoid?

void vs avoid

Avoid means to keep away from; void means empty or invalid.

Practice

If you open the sealed unit yourself, you will ____ the warranty.

Make it your own

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