Definition Definition

empty - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'empty' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Empty [ n.]
- An empty box, crate, cask, etc.; -- used in commerce, esp. in transportation of freight; as, "special rates for empties."
2 . Empty [ superl.]
- Containing nothing; not holding or having anything within; void of contents or appropriate contents; not filled; -- said of an inclosure, as a box, room, house, etc.; as, an empty chest, room, purse, or pitcher; an empty stomach; empty shackles.
- Free; clear; devoid; -- often with of.
- Having nothing to carry; unburdened.
- Destitute of effect, sincerity, or sense; -- said of language; as, empty words, or threats.
- Unable to satisfy; unsatisfactory; hollow; vain; -- said of pleasure, the world, etc.
- Producing nothing; unfruitful; -- said of a plant or tree; as, an empty vine.
- Destitute of, or lacking, sense, knowledge, or courtesy; as, empty brains; an empty coxcomb.
- Destitute of reality, or real existence; unsubstantial; as, empty dreams.
3 . Empty [ v. i.]
- To discharge itself; as, a river empties into the ocean.
- To become empty.
4 . Empty [ v. t.]
- To deprive of the contents; to exhaust; to make void or destitute; to make vacant; to pour out; to discharge; as, to empty a vessel; to empty a well or a cistern.

Meaning of 'empty' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . empty [ n]
Meaning (1):
- a container that has been emptied
Example in sentence:
  • return all empties to the store
2 . empty [ v]
Meaning (2):
- remove
Example in sentence:
  • Clear snow from the road;
  • clear the leaves from the lawn;
  • Empty the water;
  • He doffed his hat
Meaning (3):
- make void or empty of contents
Example in sentence:
  • Empty the box;
  • The alarm emptied the building
Meaning (4):
- become empty or void of its content
Example in sentence:
  • The room emptied
Meaning (5):
- leave behind empty; move out of
Example in sentence:
  • You must vacate your office by tonight
6 . empty [ a]
Meaning (6):
- holding or containing nothing
Example in sentence:
  • an empty glass;
  • an empty room;
  • empty hours;
  • full of empty seats
7 . empty [ s]
Meaning (7):
- devoid of significance or force
Example in sentence:
  • a hollow victory;
  • empty promises;
  • vacuous comments
Meaning (8):
- needing nourishment
Example in sentence:
  • after skipped lunch the men were empty by suppertime;
  • empty-bellied children
Meaning (9):
- emptied of emotion
Example in sentence:
  • after the violent argument he felt empty