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Antonyms for empty


Grammar : Adj, verb
Spell : emp-tee
Phonetic Transcription : ˈɛmp ti



Definition of empty

Origin :
  • c.1200, from Old English æmettig "at leisure, not occupied, unmarried," from æmetta "leisure," from æ "not" + -metta, from motan "to have" (see might (n.)). The -p- is a euphonic insertion.
  • Sense evolution from "at leisure" to "empty" is paralleled in several languages, e.g. Modern Greek adeios "empty," originally "freedom from fear," from deios "fear." "The adj. adeios must have been applied first to persons who enjoyed freedom from duties, leisure, and so were unoccupied, whence it was extended to objects that were unoccupied" [Buck].
  • The adjective also yielded a verb (1520s), replacing Middle English empten, from Old English geæmtigian. Related: Emptied; emptying. Figurative sense of empty-nester first attested 1987. Empty-handed attested from 1610s.
  • adj containing nothing
  • adj fruitless, ineffective
  • adj hungry
  • verb remove contents
Example sentences :
  • Man followed their example and searched until he found an empty grotto.
  • Extract from : « Ancient Man » by Hendrik Willem van Loon
  • The roads are empty, the fields are deserted, the houses of entertainment are closed.
  • Extract from : « Sunday under Three Heads » by Charles Dickens
  • "As empty as an English squire, coz," cried the first speaker.
  • Extract from : « The White Company » by Arthur Conan Doyle
  • It was a large dry cellar, empty save for the old packing-case.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • Although he ate little, the dining-room was empty when he finished.
  • Extract from : « K » by Mary Roberts Rinehart
  • With the letter in his hand, he sat by his table and looked ahead into the empty years.
  • Extract from : « K » by Mary Roberts Rinehart
  • Her world was in pieces about her, and she felt alone in a wide and empty place.
  • Extract from : « K » by Mary Roberts Rinehart
  • Harriet was asleep on the couch at the foot of her bed, and Christine's rooms were empty.
  • Extract from : « K » by Mary Roberts Rinehart
  • I've been empty too often myself not to sympathize with its condition.
  • Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr
  • Besides, the empty jar will save trouble at the customhouse.
  • Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr

Synonyms for empty

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019