1 hol·low
Pronounced:
/ˈhɑ:loʊ/
Function:
adjectiveInflected forms:
hol·low·er; hol·low·estMeaning:
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 ◊A sound that is hollow is like the sound made when you hit something that is empty inside. ▪ He heard a hollow sound when he knocked on the wall.
5 : weak and without any emotion ▪ “It's useless,” he said in a hollow voice. ▪ a hollow laugh
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 ◊A sound that is hollow is like the sound made when you hit something that is empty inside. ▪ He heard a hollow sound when he knocked on the wall.
5 : weak and without any emotion ▪ “It's useless,” he said in a hollow voice. ▪ a hollow laugh
—hol·low·ly /ˈhɑ:ləli/ adverb ▪ “It's useless,” he said hollowly.
/ˈhɑ:ləli/ adverb ▪ “It's useless,” he said hollowly.—hol·low·ness noun [noncount] ▪ the hollowness of her promises