emptiness
/'emptinis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The state of containing nothing: The condition of being completely empty, without any contents or substance.
- An empty area or space: A physical void or vacant place.
- A feeling of being without purpose, value, or meaning: A psychological or emotional state of hollowness, lack of fulfillment, or futility.
Usage and Examples
Describing a physical void:
- The emptiness of the abandoned house was unsettling.
- Scientists study the vast emptiness of outer space.
Describing a lack of meaning or fulfillment:
- After achieving his goal, he was surprised by a feeling of emptiness.
- The speech was full of words but conveyed only emptiness.
Describing a valueless quality:
- He spoke about the emptiness of material wealth without compassion.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- Philosophical/Existential Emptiness: Often used to describe a profound sense of meaninglessness or existential void.
- The novel explores the existential emptiness of modern life.
- Emptiness as a State: Can be used to describe a temporary condition, such as an empty stomach.
- A gnawing emptiness in his stomach reminded him he had skipped lunch.
Variants and Related Words
- Empty (adj): Containing nothing; not filled or occupied.
- an empty room
- Empy (v): To remove the contents of something; to make empty.
- to empty a glass
- Void (n): A completely empty space. (Often used interchangeably with 'emptiness' for physical space).
- Vacuum (n): A space entirely devoid of matter. (More technical/scientific than 'emptiness').
Synonyms
- Void: A completely empty space.
- Vacancy: The state of being empty or unoccupied.
- Hollowness: The quality of having an empty space inside; often used figuratively for lack of sincerity or substance.
- Blankness: An empty, unmarked, or expressionless quality.
Antonyms
- Fullness: The state of being filled.
- Contentment: A state of happiness and satisfaction.
- Meaningfulness: The quality of having significance or purpose.
Idioms and Phrases
- A void/emptiness in one's life: A feeling that something important is missing.
- After her children moved away, she felt an emptiness in her life.
- To stare into the emptiness/void: To gaze blankly, often while deep in thought or feeling despondent.
- He just sat there, staring into the emptiness.
Noun
- the quality of being valueless or futile
- he rejected the vanities of the world
- an empty area or space
- the huge desert voids
- the emptiness of outer space
- without their support he'll be ruling in a vacuum
- having an empty stomach
- the state of containing nothing