emptier; emptiest
1
a
: containing nothing
empty shelves
b
: not occupied or inhabited
an empty building
c
d
: not pregnant
empty heifer
e
: null sense 4a
the empty set
2
3
: hungry
5
: marked by the absence of human life, activity, or comfort
an empty silence
emptied; emptying
1
2
: to remove from what holds or encloses
1
: to become empty
the theater emptied quickly
2
: to discharge contents
the river empties into the ocean
Synonyms
Examples of empty in a Sentence
Adjective
The arena was completely empty.
She felt trapped in an empty marriage.
unhappy people leading empty lives
Verb
She emptied the contents of her purse onto the table.
It's your turn to empty the trash.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lois Goh, Saveur, 13 Nov. 2024
There were cigarettes on the bar, empty glasses on the back tables, and only a dozen guests left at Sid Gold’s Request Room.
—Curbed Staff, Curbed, 6 Nov. 2024
Sandi Schwartz, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2024
Locals emptied powerless coolers and contributed hot dogs, ribs and hamburgers.
—Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
The motor has 25,000Pa of suction and a one-liter dustbin that empties with the push of a button.
—Tribune News Service, Orange County Register, 7 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for empty 
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Adjective
To the empty wok, add the remaining vegetable oil, the garlic, ginger, and scallions and stir-fry until fragrant, 30–60 seconds.
—Lois Goh, Saveur, 13 Nov. 2024
There were cigarettes on the bar, empty glasses on the back tables, and only a dozen guests left at Sid Gold’s Request Room.
—Curbed Staff, Curbed, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
The bag can be easily emptied by unzipping it and dumping out the debris.
—Sandi Schwartz, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2024
Locals emptied powerless coolers and contributed hot dogs, ribs and hamburgers.
—Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
Port Newark Container Terminal is also opening gate operations on Saturday, both for import cargo and empties.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
The motor has 25,000Pa of suction and a one-liter dustbin that empties with the push of a button.
—Tribune News Service, Orange County Register, 7 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for empty
Dictionary Entries Near empty
Cite this Entry
“Empty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empty. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
empty
1 of 3 adjective
emp·ty
ˈem(p)-tē 
emptier; emptiest
1
: containing nothing
an empty box
2
: not being lived in
an empty house
3
: having no reality or importance
empty dreams
4
: lacking in value, sense, effect, or sincerity
empty threats
5
: hungry sense 1
feel empty before dinner
6
: having no members
empty set
empty
2 of 3 verb
emptied; emptying
1
: to make empty : remove the contents of
empty a barrel
2
: to remove all of from a container
empty flour from a bag
3
: to become empty
the theater emptied quickly
4
: to give forth contents (as fluid) : discharge
the river empties into the ocean
empty
3 of 3 noun
plural empties
: an empty container
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