Definition

Noun: 1. The state of being blank: The quality or condition of showing no expression, understanding, thought, or emotion. 2. Void; emptiness: A state of complete absence or lack of content, meaning, or features.

Usage and Examples

• Describing a facial expression or mental state:
  • Her face was a mask of complete blankness, giving no clue to her feelings.
  • After the shocking news, his mind was filled with a stunned blankness.
• Describing a lack of features or content:
  • The blankness of the white canvas was intimidating to the new artist.
  • He stared into the blankness of the night sky, searching for stars.

Advanced Usage

• "A blankness of mind": A specific phrase describing a temporary inability to think or remember.
  • During the exam, she experienced a sudden blankness of mind and forgot the formula.
• "Sheer/Total blankness": Used for emphasis to describe an absolute or profound lack.
  • The document's history showed a sheer blankness of activity for the past decade.

Variants and Related Words

• Blank (adj.): Showing no expression, understanding, or interest; not written or printed on.
  • a blank stare; a blank page
• Blank (n.): An empty space or period of time.
  • Fill in the blanks on the form.
• Blankly (adv.): In a blank manner, without expression or understanding.
  • He stared blankly at the screen.

Synonyms

• Emptiness: The state of containing nothing.
• Void: A completely empty space.
• Vacancy: The state of being empty or unoccupied (often of a place or position); lack of thought or intelligence.
• Expressionlessness: Lack of expression on one's face.

Antonyms

• Expressiveness: The quality of effectively conveying thought or feeling.
• Fullness: The state of being filled or complete.
• Awareness: Knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.

Noun

1. the state of being blank; void; emptiness