emptiness
emptiness — noun
1. a physical area or container that has nothing inside it, or the condition of bei
a physical area or container that has nothing inside it, or the condition of being completely without contents.
The vast emptiness of the desert stretched for miles before Sade's eyes.
collocation: vast emptiness of [a place]
Camila tapped the wall to confirm the emptiness behind the wooden panel.
When the movers took the last table, the emptiness of the room startled Niran.
The emptiness inside the old suitcase made Élise wonder what had been taken.
- fullness
the state of being filled with contents
文法句型
the emptiness of [place]
[adjective] emptiness
用法筆記
Emptiness in this sense describes a general condition of being without contents. Use 'empty space' or 'gap' for specific physical locations, and 'void' for a large, unfilled area.
常見錯誤
2. when something has no real value, meaning, or honest intent — for example, the e
when something has no real value, meaning, or honest intent — for example, the emptiness of a political promise that sounds good but says nothing.
The emptiness of the politician's speech disappointed everyone who had come to listen.
Mizuki saw through the emptiness of the brand's promises about saving the environment.
collocation: emptiness of [promises / speeches / claims]
Ilan felt the emptiness of awards that praised effort but ignored real results.
After working only for money, the emptiness of his job became too hard to ignore.
- hollowness
similar but emphasises the insincerity or deceptive appearance of something
- futility
stresses uselessness and pointlessness rather than lack of meaning
- meaninglessness
more direct and literal; less common in everyday speech
文法句型
the emptiness of [abstract noun]
[possessive] emptiness
用法筆記
Often followed by an 'of'-phrase naming the thing that lacks sincerity or meaning (the emptiness of their promises, the emptiness of modern life). Subject is typically an abstract thing: speech, promise, relationship, ritual.
常見錯誤
3. a deep, painful sense that your life has no direction, value, or emotional conne
a deep, painful sense that your life has no direction, value, or emotional connection — like the emptiness a person feels after losing someone close.
After her father passed away, Aoi felt a deep emptiness that nothing could fill.
Christopher hid his emptiness behind a cheerful smile, but his coworkers noticed the change.
The emptiness inside him grew worse each morning when he woke up alone.
The therapist told Hamza that emptiness is part of grief and takes time to heal.
- hollowness
similar emotional sense, emphasising a lack of inner substance or warmth
- desolation
stronger, suggesting utter loneliness and abandonment
- void
metaphorical use of an empty space inside oneself
- fulfilment
a feeling of satisfaction and purpose in life
- purpose
a clear sense of direction and meaning
文法句型
a feeling of emptiness
[possessive] emptiness
emptiness + inside [person]
用法筆記
Distinguish from loneliness (which is about missing specific people) and depression (a broader clinical condition). Emptiness here is a feeling of internal hollowness or lack of purpose that may persist even when surrounded by others.