1 emp·ty
Pronounced:
/ˈɛmpti/
Function:
adjectiveInflected forms:
emp·ti·er; emp·ti·estMeaning:
1 : containing nothing ▪ The box was empty. ▪ an empty beer can ▪ vast empty spaces ▪ empty shelves ▪ This medication should not be taken on an empty stomach. [=you should eat something before taking this medication]
2 : not having any people : not occupied ▪ an empty house ▪ an empty beach/street ▪ empty beds/seats ▪ an empty factory ▪ The arena was completely empty.
3 : having no real purpose or value ▪ She felt trapped in an empty marriage. ▪ unhappy people leading empty lives
4 : having no effect : not sincere or meaningful ▪ an empty [=hollow, idle] threat ▪ an empty promise ▪ Her apology was just an empty gesture. ▪ Their promises are just a lot of empty talk/words.
5 : not showing emotion or life ▪ She looked at me with empty eyes. ▪ a crowd of empty faces
2 : not having any people : not occupied ▪ an empty house ▪ an empty beach/street ▪ empty beds/seats ▪ an empty factory ▪ The arena was completely empty.
3 : having no real purpose or value ▪ She felt trapped in an empty marriage. ▪ unhappy people leading empty lives
4 : having no effect : not sincere or meaningful ▪ an empty [=hollow, idle] threat ▪ an empty promise ▪ Her apology was just an empty gesture. ▪ Their promises are just a lot of empty talk/words.
5 : not showing emotion or life ▪ She looked at me with empty eyes. ▪ a crowd of empty faces
come up empty —see 1come
empty of
: completely without (something) ▪ The arena was empty of spectators. ▪ The streets are now empty of traffic.
—emp·ti·ly /ˈɛmptəli/ adverb ▪ He stared emptily out the window.
/ˈɛmptəli/ adverb ▪ He stared emptily out the window.—emp·ti·ness /ˈɛmptinəs/ noun [noncount] ▪ the vast emptiness of outer space
/ˈɛmptinəs/ noun [noncount] ▪ the vast emptiness of outer space