Explanation at your level:
Think of a box. If you take all the toys out, the box is empty. If you drink all your juice, the cup is empty. It is the opposite of full. You can use it to talk about things you can see in your house or at school.
You can use empty to describe places. For example, 'The classroom was empty after school.' You can also use it for your feelings, like 'I felt empty after the movie ended.' It is a very useful adjective for describing simple situations in your daily life.
At this level, you can use empty to describe abstract concepts. We talk about 'empty promises' when someone says they will do something but does not mean it. You can also use it to describe a 'feeling of emptiness' after a big change in your life.
Use empty to add nuance to your descriptions. You might describe a 'vast, empty landscape' to create a mood in your writing. It is also common in business contexts, such as 'empty seats' in a theater or 'empty shelves' in a store, indicating a lack of supply or demand.
In advanced English, empty functions as a powerful tool for critique. You might discuss 'empty rhetoric' in a political speech, suggesting the words lack genuine conviction. It is also used in literary contexts to describe a sense of existential void or the 'emptiness' of modern life.
At the mastery level, consider the etymological roots of empty in relation to 'leisure' and 'void.' You can use it to describe 'empty space' in physics or philosophy. The word carries weight when describing the 'hollowness' of human achievement or the silence of a desolate, 'empty' environment.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- Empty means nothing inside.
- It is used for things and feelings.
- It can be an adjective or a verb.
- Commonly used in daily life.
When we say something is empty, we mean it is waiting to be filled. Imagine a glass that has no water in it; that glass is empty. It is a very common word used to describe physical spaces, like an empty room, or containers, like an empty bottle.
Beyond physical objects, we use empty to talk about feelings. If you feel empty, you might feel like something is missing from your life. It is a versatile word that helps us describe the absence of things we expect to be there.
The word empty comes from the Old English word æmtig, which meant 'at leisure' or 'vacant.' It is related to the word æmetta, meaning 'leisure' or 'rest.' Interestingly, the 'p' in the middle of the word was added later during the 16th century, likely because of how the word was pronounced.
Historically, the word evolved from describing a person who was 'unoccupied' or 'free from work' to describing a vessel that was 'free from contents.' It is a fascinating example of how words shift from describing human states to describing physical objects over hundreds of years.
You will hear empty in almost every daily conversation. We often pair it with nouns like bottle, stomach, room, or promise. Using it with 'promise' is a great way to sound more native, as an 'empty promise' is a classic collocation.
In formal writing, you might see it used to describe 'empty rhetoric' or 'empty gestures.' These uses are more abstract and carry a slightly negative tone, implying that something lacks substance or sincerity. Always consider the context when using it metaphorically.
Idioms make language colorful! Empty-handed means returning without what you intended to get. Empty-headed describes someone who is not very serious or intelligent. Running on empty means continuing to work or move even when you are exhausted.
You might also hear empty suit, which refers to a person who has a high-ranking job but no real talent. Finally, to empty the tank means to give your absolute maximum effort in a task or sport.
The word empty is an adjective. It is pronounced /ˈɛmpti/ in both British and American English. A common mistake is to over-pronounce the 'p' sound; keep it light and quick.
It does not have a plural form because it is an adjective. It is often used with linking verbs like 'is', 'was', or 'became'. For example, 'The box became empty.' It rhymes with words like tempty (though that is not a standard word) and shares a similar stress pattern to plenty.
Fun Fact
The 'p' was added in the 16th century to help pronunciation.
Pronunciation Guide
Crisp 'p' sound
Slightly softer 'p'
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'p' too loudly
- Adding an extra syllable
- Mispronouncing the 'ty' ending
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy
Easy
Easy
Very easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Adjective usage
The box is empty.
Verb usage
Empty the box.
Articles
An empty box.
Examples by Level
The cup is empty.
Cup = glass
Simple adjective
The box is empty.
Box = container
Subject-verb-adj
My bag is empty.
Bag = backpack
Possessive adjective
The room is empty.
Room = space
Definite article
Is the bottle empty?
Bottle = container
Question form
The plate is empty.
Plate = dish
Noun + verb + adj
It is an empty house.
House = home
Indefinite article
The street is empty.
Street = road
Simple sentence
The park was empty yesterday.
I feel empty without my best friend.
Please give me the empty bottle.
The shelf looks empty now.
There were empty chairs everywhere.
He arrived with empty pockets.
The stadium was mostly empty.
Don't leave the tank empty.
She made an empty promise to help.
The house has been empty for years.
He stared into the empty space.
I felt a sense of empty sadness.
The warehouse was completely empty.
Don't make empty threats.
The city streets felt empty at dawn.
Her words felt empty and cold.
The politician's speech was full of empty rhetoric.
He felt an empty void in his chest.
The store shelves were empty due to the strike.
It was an empty gesture of kindness.
The vast, empty desert stretched for miles.
She tried to fill the empty hours with reading.
The argument was just empty noise.
The theater was surprisingly empty.
The room echoed with an empty silence.
His life felt empty despite his great success.
The report was an empty exercise in bureaucracy.
They were left with empty hands after the deal failed.
The concept of an empty universe is daunting.
He offered an empty apology that meant nothing.
The landscape was desolate and empty.
She felt the empty weight of loneliness.
The existential dread left him feeling entirely empty.
The empty formalism of the ceremony was off-putting.
He contemplated the empty vastness of the cosmos.
The empty shell of the building stood as a monument.
Her gaze was empty, devoid of any recognition.
The theory was proved to be an empty construct.
The empty ritual provided no real comfort.
He lived an empty existence in the city.
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"Empty-handed"
Without anything
I went to the store but left empty-handed.
neutral"Running on empty"
Working without energy
I've been working all night, I'm running on empty.
casual"Empty-headed"
Silly or not smart
Don't be so empty-headed!
casual"Empty suit"
Someone with a job but no talent
He's just an empty suit in management.
casual"Empty the tank"
Give maximum effort
You need to empty the tank to win this race.
casualEasily Confused
Both mean empty
Vacant is for seats/rooms, empty is for containers.
The seat is vacant; the bottle is empty.
Both mean lacking inside
Hollow means having a space inside, empty means lacking contents.
A hollow pipe.
Both mean empty
Blank is for surfaces like paper.
A blank page.
Both mean empty
Void is for abstract concepts.
A void in the law.
Sentence Patterns
The [noun] is empty.
The glass is empty.
An empty [noun].
An empty box.
Empty the [noun].
Empty the trash.
He felt empty.
He felt empty inside.
It was an empty gesture.
His apology was an empty gesture.
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Verwandt
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
We say 'empty stomach', not 'I am empty'.
You cannot empty a person.
Empty can be a verb, but beginners often forget it.
Void is more formal and philosophical.
Adjectives don't have plurals.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize your favorite cup turning invisible.
Native Usage
Use 'empty' for physical things, 'hollow' for sounds or objects.
Cultural Insight
Empty promises are a common social critique.
Grammar Shortcut
Empty is an adjective, always before a noun or after a verb.
Say It Right
Don't over-pronounce the P.
Avoid This
Don't say 'I am empty' when hungry.
Did You Know?
The P was added later!
Study Smart
Use flashcards with images of empty containers.
Register
Use 'vacant' for formal hotel/seat talk.
Verb usage
Empty as a verb is very common in chores.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Empty = E-M-P-T-Y (Every Morning, Please Take Yourself... out of the empty bed!)
Visual Association
A glass with nothing in it.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Find 3 empty things in your room.
Wortherkunft
Old English
Original meaning: At leisure, unoccupied
Kultureller Kontext
None
Commonly used in daily life, often associated with 'empty' homes or 'empty' promises.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At home
- Empty the dishwasher
- The fridge is empty
- Empty the trash
At a restaurant
- The table is empty
- Empty glass
- Empty plate
At work
- Empty office
- Empty promises
- Empty schedule
Travel
- Empty seat
- Empty road
- Empty train
Conversation Starters
"What do you do when your fridge is empty?"
"Have you ever felt empty?"
"Do you think empty promises are common?"
"What is the most empty place you have visited?"
"How do you feel when you see an empty street?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you felt empty.
Describe an empty room.
Why do people make empty promises?
What does an empty house look like to you?
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenYes, you can empty a box.
It is better to say 'completely empty'.
Full.
It is neutral.
EM-tee.
Only metaphorically.
No.
Yes.
Teste dich selbst
The bottle is ___.
The bottle has nothing in it.
What does empty mean?
Empty means lacking content.
An empty promise is a good thing.
It means a promise that won't be kept.
Word
Bedeutung
Matching idioms to meanings.
The room was empty.
Ergebnis: /5
Summary
Empty describes anything that lacks contents, whether it is a physical container or an abstract feeling.
- Empty means nothing inside.
- It is used for things and feelings.
- It can be an adjective or a verb.
- Commonly used in daily life.
Memory Palace
Visualize your favorite cup turning invisible.
Native Usage
Use 'empty' for physical things, 'hollow' for sounds or objects.
Cultural Insight
Empty promises are a common social critique.
Grammar Shortcut
Empty is an adjective, always before a noun or after a verb.
Beispiel
The glass is empty, so I will get more water.
Related Content
Im Kontext lernen
Dieses Wort in anderen Sprachen
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mehr Other Wörter
abate
C1Wenn etwas an Intensität verliert oder nachlässt. Das kann ein Sturm sein, der schwächer wird, oder auch starke Gefühle.
abcarndom
C1Bewusst von einem festen Muster abweichen, um einen zufälligen oder nicht-linearen Ansatz zu wählen. Oft in technischen Analysen genutzt.
abcenthood
C1The state, condition, or period of being absent, particularly in a role where one's presence is expected or required. It often refers to a prolonged or systemic lack of participation in a social, parental, or professional capacity.
abcitless
C1Das ist, wenn etwas Wichtiges fehlt und ein Plan oder Gedanke nicht richtig funktioniert.
abcognacy
C1The state of being unaware or lacking knowledge about a specific subject, situation, or fact. It describes a condition of non-recognition or a gap in cognitive awareness, often used in technical or specialized academic contexts.
abdocion
C1Beschreibt eine Bewegung oder Logik, die sich von einem Zentrum entfernt. Oft in der Technik genutzt, wenn sich etwas nach außen richtet.
abdocly
C1Abdocly beschreibt Dinge, die versteckt oder in Nischen untergebracht sind und nicht sofort ins Auge fallen.
aberration
B2A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome. It refers to a temporary change or a deviation from the standard path or rule.
abfacible
C1To systematically strip or remove the external surface or facade of a structure or material for analysis, restoration, or cleaning. It specifically refers to the technical act of uncovering underlying layers while preserving the integrity of the core material.
abfactency
C1Beschreibt etwas, das völlig von Fakten oder der Realität losgelöst ist. Oft benutzt für Theorien, die zwar logisch wirken, aber mit der Wirklichkeit nichts zu tun haben.
