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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Empty: Definitions, Examples, and Usage Guide (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：containing nothing (empty)

empty 🔊

/ˈɛmpti/

adj., v., n.

Having nothing inside a container, space, or object.

Empty glass on wooden table showing nothing inside

containing nothing 🔊

➕

/kənˈteɪnɪŋ ˈnʌθɪŋ/

adj., v., n.

Describing a container, space, or object that has no content inside it.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'æmtig' (vacant), related to 'empt' (leisure).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a box with nothing inside: 'EMPTY' sounds like 'empty' – think of a gaping void.

📖 Example

After I drank the water, the glass was empty. 🔊 The glass contained nothing after the water was consumed.

🔗 Collocations

empty bottle – a bottle with no liquid inside

empty room – a room with no furniture or people

empty space – an area with nothing in it

🔄 Synonyms

hollow (adj.) – having an empty space inside, like a hollow tree

vacant (adj.) – not occupied or filled, like a vacant seat

bare (adj.) – without any covering or content, like a bare wall

🚫 Antonyms

full (adj.) – containing as much as possible

filled (adj.) – having something inside

occupied (adj.) – being used or taken up

🌱 Derivatives

emptiness (n.) – the state of being empty

emptily (adv.) – in an empty manner

empty-headed (adj.) – lacking intelligence or sense

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'empty' evolved from Proto-Germanic *emptijaz. In modern English, the phrase 'empty nest' describes parents after children leave home.

Meaning 2：to remove contents (empty)

empty 🔊

/ˈɛmpti/

adj., v., n.

To remove everything from inside a container or space.

Hands emptying trash bin into garbage bag

to remove contents 🔊

➕

/tə rɪˈmuːv ˈkɒntents/

adj., v., n.

To remove all the contents from a container or space.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Please empty the trash bin before you leave. 🔊 Please take all the trash out of the bin before you go.

🔗 Collocations

empty the trash – to remove all waste from a bin

empty your pockets – to take everything out of your pockets

empty the dishwasher – to take out all clean dishes from the dishwasher

🔄 Synonyms

clear (v.) – to remove contents so that nothing remains, e.g., clear the table

void (v.) – to empty or remove the contents of something, often used in formal contexts

evacuate (v.) – to remove people or contents from a place for safety

🚫 Antonyms

fill (v.) – to put something into a container until full

load (v.) – to put items into a vehicle or container

pack (v.) – to put things into a bag or box

🌱 Derivatives

emptied (adj./v.) – having been made empty

emptying (n.) – the act of making something empty

Meaning 3：lacking substance (empty)

empty 🔊

/ˈɛmpti/

adj., v., n.

Lacking meaning, interest, or value; without real substance or purpose.

Person on empty stage conveying lack of substance

lacking substance 🔊

➕

/ˈlækɪŋ ˈsʌbstəns/

adj., v., n.

Describing something that is without real meaning, value, or sincerity.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

His apology felt empty because he didn't change his behavior. 🔊 His apology seemed insincere because his actions did not change afterward.

🔗 Collocations

empty promises – promises that are not kept or have no sincerity

empty words – words that convey no real meaning or commitment

empty gesture – an action that appears caring but lacks real substance

🔄 Synonyms

meaningless (adj.) – having no significance or purpose

hollow (adj.) – empty of real value or emotion, like a hollow victory

insincere (adj.) – not expressing genuine feelings

🚫 Antonyms

meaningful (adj.) – having real importance or significance

sincere (adj.) – genuine and honest

substantial (adj.) – of considerable importance or worth

🌱 Derivatives

emptily (adv.) – in an empty or meaningless way