I. ˈem(p)-tē adjective
( emp·ti·er ; -est )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ǣmettig unoccupied, from ǣmetta leisure, perhaps from ǣ- without + -metta (probably akin to mōtan to have to) — more at must
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : containing nothing
empty shelves
b. : not occupied or inhabited
an empty building
c. : unfrequented
d. : not pregnant
empty heifer
e. : null 4a
the empty set
2.
a. : lacking reality, substance, meaning, or value : hollow
an empty pleasure
b. : destitute of effect or force
an empty threat
c. : devoid of sense : foolish
3. : hungry
4.
a. : idle
empty hours
b. : having no purpose or result : useless
5. : marked by the absence of human life, activity, or comfort
an empty silence
• emp·ti·ly -tə-lē adverb
• emp·ti·ness -tē-nəs noun
Synonyms:
empty , vacant , blank , void , vacuous mean lacking contents which could or should be present. empty suggests a complete absence of contents
an empty bucket
vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants
a vacant apartment
blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface
a blank wall
void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine
a statement void of meaning
vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance
a vacuous facial expression
Synonym: see in addition vain .
II. verb
( emp·tied ; emp·ty·ing )
Date: 1548
transitive verb
1.
a. : to make empty : remove the contents of
empty a purse
b. : deprive , divest
a phrase emptied of all meaning
c. : to discharge (itself) of contents
d. : to fire (a repeating firearm) until empty
2. : to remove from what holds or encloses
empty the grain from sacks
intransitive verb
1. : to become empty
the theater emptied quickly
2. : to discharge contents
the river empties into the ocean
III. noun
( plural emp·ties )
Date: 1865
: something (as a bottle or can) that is empty