1
archaic
: colorless
2
a
: appearing or causing to appear dazed, confounded, or nonplussed
stared in blank dismay
b
: expressionless
a blank stare
3
a
: devoid of covering or content
a blank space
: such as
(1)
: free from writing or marks
a blank sheet of paper
(2)
: without any recorded sound or information
a blank drive/DVD/disk
b
: having spaces to be filled in
a blank application form
see also blank check
c
: lacking interest, variety, or change
blank hours
4
: absolute, unqualified
a blank refusal
5
: unfinished
especially
: having a plain or unbroken surface where an opening is usual
a blank key
a blank arch
blankly
adverb
blankness
noun
1
obsolete
: the bull's-eye of a target
2
a
: an empty space (as on a paper)
b
: a paper with spaces for the entry of data
an order blank
3
a
: a piece of material prepared to be made into something (such as a key) by a further operation
b
: a cartridge loaded with propellant and a seal but no projectile
4
a
: an empty or featureless place or space
my mind was a blank
b
: a vacant or uneventful period
a long blank in history
5
: a dash substituting for an omitted word
blanked; blanking; blanks
1
a
: obscure, obliterate
blank out a line
b
: to stop access to : seal
blank off a tunnel
2
: to keep (an opponent) from scoring
were blanked for eight innings
3
British slang
: to treat (a friend or acquaintance) in a hostile or unfriendly way : to ignore or refuse to talk to (someone)
And unpopular Gardiner has found himself isolated after the show's cast and crew blanked him.—
Mark Jefferies
Mark Jefferies1
: fade
—usually used with out
the music blanked out
2
: to become confused or abstracted
—often used with out
his mind blanked out momentarily
Synonyms
Examples of blank in a Sentence
Adjective
a blank sheet of paper
a book with blank pages
Noun
The form has a blank for your signature.
The actors are shooting blanks.
Verb
The goalie blanked the Falcons for two periods in the hockey game.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kc Baker, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
Six world-class interior designers were given a blank canvas to create their interiors, and the results are strikingly different, from Luca Dini’s waterfall through the superyacht’s two-level beach club to the large picture windows on the interior salon by Francois Zuretti.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2024
Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
The second line from the bottom should have a 4 in the first blank.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Ryan Morik, Fox News, 3 Oct. 2024
Tim Herrin has blanked the opposition in 48 of his 58 outings.
—Zack Meisel, The Athletic, 21 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for blank 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Seconds later, the clown pulled out a gun and shot Warren in the mouth at point blank range.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
Six world-class interior designers were given a blank canvas to create their interiors, and the results are strikingly different, from Luca Dini’s waterfall through the superyacht’s two-level beach club to the large picture windows on the interior salon by Francois Zuretti.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
This latest discovery may spur more archeological activity in the area — and perhaps fill in in the blanks about how the people lived and worked there from around 2400 BCE to 1500 BCE.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
The second line from the bottom should have a 4 in the first blank.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
New York scored one in the first and two in the second, but were blanked in the final seven innings.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 3 Oct. 2024
Tim Herrin has blanked the opposition in 48 of his 58 outings.
—Zack Meisel, The Athletic, 21 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for blank
Dictionary Entries Near blank
Cite this Entry
“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blank. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
blank
1 of 3 adjective1
: being without writing, printing, or marks
a blank sheet of paper
2
: having empty spaces to be filled in
a blank form
3
: having no expression
a blank look
4
: lacking variety, change, or accomplishment : empty
a blank day
5
: without exceptions : absolute sense 3
blank refusal
6
: not shaped into finished form
a blank key
blankly
adverb
blankness
noun
blank
2 of 3 noun1
a
: an empty space (as on a paper)
b
: a paper with spaces for the entry of information
2
: an empty place
my mind was a blank
3
: a piece of material prepared to be made into something (as a key)
4
: a cartridge loaded with gunpowder but no bullet
blank
3 of 3 verb1
: to keep from scoring
were blanked for eight innings
2
: to become confused
blanked out for a moment
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