empty in English
- empty⇄adj. 1. with nothing or no one in it.
Ex. The birds had gone and their nest was left empty.
2. vacant; unoccupied.
Ex. an empty room or house.
3. having no cargo; unloaded.
Ex. an empty ship.
4. (Figurative.) not re - empty⇄empty, adjective, -tier,-tiest,verb, -tied,-tying,noun, pl.-ties.
- empty⇄expr. empty of, having no; devoid of.
Ex. Tired of wishes, Empty of dreams (Carl Sandburg). - empty⇄noun (Informal.) something that is empty, such as an empty container, freight car, or bottle.
Ex. The company makes its own cans and keeps 165,000 shiny empties in a 'jumble bin' (New Yorker). - empty⇄v.i. 1. to become empty.
Ex. The hall emptied as soon as the concert was over.
2. to flow out; discharge.
Ex. The Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico. - empty⇄v.t. to pour out or take out all that is in (a thing); make empty.
Ex. He emptied his glass quickly. He emptied the tobacco out of his pipe.
(SYN) unload, unburden, evacuate.
empty in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
empty in Kashmiri कॉशुर
empty in Sindhi سنڌي
Empty
Part of Speech
Adjective, Verb
Pronunciation
IPA: /ˈɛmpti/
Phonetic: EMP-tee
Definitions
As an adjective:
- Containing nothing; not filled.
- Without meaning, substance, or purpose.
- Having no occupants or contents.
As a verb:
- To remove contents from something.
- To become vacant or unoccupied.
Usage Examples
- The glass is empty after he drank all the water.
- Her words felt empty and meaningless.
- He emptied the trash can into the bin.
Etymology
From Middle English emty, derived from Old English ǣmetig meaning "unoccupied, vacant."
Synonyms
- Vacant
- Hollow
- Void
- Barren
- Deserted
Antonyms
- Full
- Occupied
- Complete
- Meaningful
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Vacío | vah-SEE-oh |
| French | Vide | veed |
| German | Leer | layr |
| Hindi | खाली | khaali |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 空的 | kōng de |
| Japanese | 空の | sora no |
| Russian | пустой | poos-TOY |
| Arabic | فارغ | farigh |
| Tamil | காலியான | kaaliyan |
| Telugu | ఖాళీ | khāḷī |
| Bengali | খালি | khali |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- British English: /ˈɛmpti/ (EMP-tee)
- American English: /ˈɛmpti/ (EMP-tee)
- Australian English: /ˈɛmtɪ/ (EM-tee)
Historical Usage
The word "empty" has been in use since Old English times, appearing in various literary and philosophical contexts. It has been used metaphorically to describe emotional or existential voids throughout history.
Cultural Nuances
In Western cultures, emptiness is often viewed negatively, representing lack or deficiency. In Eastern traditions, particularly in Buddhism, emptiness (śūnyatā) is seen as a profound concept leading to enlightenment.
More Information
Empty is a versatile word used in both physical and abstract senses. It can describe tangible voids, such as an empty box, as well as emotional or intellectual states, such as feeling empty inside. The philosophical interpretation of emptiness varies across cultures, influencing art, literature, and spirituality.