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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Hollow Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：empty on the inside (hollow)

hollow 🔊

/ˈhɒləʊ/

adj./vt.

Lacking real meaning or value; seeming good but actually empty inside.

Hollow meaning illustrated by an insincere speech to an unresponsive audience.

empty on the inside 🔊

➕

/ˈɛmpti ɒn ði ˈɪnˌsaɪd/

adj./vt.

Describes something that appears to have value or meaning but is actually lacking in substance, sincerity, or true worth.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'holh' (hole, cave) via Proto-Germanic.

💡 Mnemonic

Hollow sounds like 'hole low' – think of something with a low hole inside, meaning empty.

📖 Example

After winning the championship with little competition, his victory felt somewhat hollow. 🔊 Despite securing the title, the win seemed insincere and unsatisfying due to the lack of challenge.

🔗 Collocations

hollow promise – A promise that is made but not intended to be kept, lacking sincerity.

hollow victory – A win or success that feels unsatisfying or meaningless due to circumstances.

hollow words – Statements that sound impressive but are devoid of genuine meaning or intent.

🔄 Synonyms

meaningless (adj.) – Having no meaning, purpose, or significance.

insincere (adj.) – Not expressing genuine feelings; not heartfelt.

vain (adj.) – Producing no result or effect; futile, often coupled with pride.

🚫 Antonyms

genuine (adj.) – Truly what something is said to be; authentic and sincere.

meaningful (adj.) – Having a serious, important, or useful quality or purpose.

substantial (adj.) – Of considerable importance, size, or worth.

🌱 Derivatives

hollowness (n.) – The state or quality of being hollow; lack of substance or sincerity.

📖 Cultural Story

Frequently used in modern English to describe achievements or emotions lacking genuine substance, such as a 'hollow victory' in sports or politics, highlighting a discrepancy between appearance and reality.

Meaning 2：having a cavity (hollow)

hollow 🔊

/ˈhɒləʊ/

adj./vt.

Having an empty space inside an object; not solid.

Hollow object diagram showing a cross-section of a log with a central cavity.

having a cavity 🔊

➕

/ˈhævɪŋ ə ˈkævɪti/

adj./vt.

Describes a physical object that has an empty space or hole inside it; not solid throughout.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The bird built its nest inside the hollow trunk of the old tree. 🔊 The bird constructed its home within the empty, cavernous interior of the ancient tree's trunk.

🔗 Collocations

hollow log – A fallen tree trunk that is empty inside, often used by animals for shelter.

hollow sound – A deep, echoing sound produced when tapping on something that is empty inside.

hollow tube – A cylindrical object that is empty in the center, allowing passage of air or liquids.

🔄 Synonyms

cavity (n.) – An empty space within a solid object.

concave (adj.) – Curving inward, like the interior surface of a sphere or bowl.

void (n.) – A completely empty space.

🚫 Antonyms

solid (adj.) – Firm and stable in shape; not liquid or fluid; having no hollows.

dense (adj.) – Closely compacted in substance; having parts crowded together.