devoid
/di'vɔid/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Completely lacking or without something: "Devoid" describes a state of being entirely without a particular quality, element, or feature. It emphasizes a complete absence.
Usage
- Structure: "Devoid of + [noun]" is the standard construction. The noun names the thing that is missing.
- Function: It is a formal or literary adjective used to stress a total absence, often of an abstract quality. It is not typically used for the simple, temporary absence of physical objects.
Examples
- Adjective:
- The landscape was devoid of any vegetation. (The landscape completely lacked plants.)
- His statement was devoid of any real meaning. (His statement was completely without meaning.)
- She felt devoid of emotion after the shocking news. (She felt completely empty of emotion.)
Advanced Usage
- "Devoid of" in formal analysis: Used in academic or critical writing to describe the absence of essential characteristics.
- The report was criticized for being devoid of factual evidence.
- Emphatic negation: Used for strong rhetorical effect to highlight a stark absence.
- A world devoid of kindness is a bleak place indeed.
Variants and Related Words
- Lacking (adj/prep): Not having enough of something. (Less emphatic than "devoid").
- The plan is lacking in detail.
- Bereft of (adj): Deprived of or lacking something, especially a non-material possession. Often carries a sense of loss.
- He was bereft of hope.
- Barren of (adj): Lacking, especially in a way that makes something unproductive or empty. Often used for land or creative works.
- A speech barren of new ideas.
- Destitute of (adj): Completely lacking something necessary or desirable. Formal.
- A theory destitute of proof.
- Innocent of (adj): Free from; lacking. Often used in a legal or formal context.
- The design is innocent of any ornamentation.
Synonyms
- Empty of: Having none of the specified thing inside.
- Devoid of: Completely lacking in (the most direct synonym).
- Without: Not having. (More general and common).
Antonyms
- Full of: Containing a lot of something.
- Replete with: Filled or well-supplied with something.
- Abounding in: Existing in very large numbers or amounts.
Related Phrases
- Devoid of content: Having no substance or meaningful information.
- The article was long but devoid of content.
- Devoid of life: Completely lacking living things.
- The desert appeared devoid of life.
Adjective
- completely wanting or lacking
- writing barren of insight
- young recruits destitute of experience
- innocent of literary merit
- the sentence was devoid of meaning