empty Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a container that has been emptied
- return all empties to the store
verb make void or empty of contents
- Empty the box
- The alarm emptied the building
verb become empty or void of its content
discharge.
- The room emptied
verb leave behind empty; move out of
vacate; abandon.
- You must vacate your office by tonight
verb remove
- Empty the water
verb excrete or discharge from the body
void; evacuate.
adjective holding or containing nothing
- an empty glass
- an empty room
- full of empty seats
- empty hours
adjective satellite devoid of significance or point
vacuous; hollow.
- empty promises
- a hollow victory
- vacuous comments
adjective satellite needing nourishment
empty-bellied.
- after skipped lunch the men were empty by suppertime
- empty-bellied children
adjective satellite emptied of emotion
- after the violent argument he felt empty

AS. emtig, æmtig, æmetig, fr. æmta, æmetta, quiet, leisure, rest; of uncertain origin; cf. G. emsig busy.

comparative Emptier ; superlative Emptiest

Containing nothing; not holding or having anything within; void of contents or appropriate contents; not filled; -- said of an inclosure, as a box, room, house, etc.; as, an empty chest, room, purse, or pitcher; an empty stomach; empty shackles.
Free; clear; devoid; -- often with of. "That fair female troop . . . empty of all good." Milton.
I shall find you empty of that fault. Shak.
Having nothing to carry; unburdened. "An empty messenger." Shak.
When ye go ye shall not go empty. Ex. iii. 21.
Destitute of effect, sincerity, or sense; -- said of language; as, empty words, or threats.
Words are but empty thanks. Cibber.
Unable to satisfy; unsatisfactory; hollow; vain; -- said of pleasure, the world, etc.
Pleas'd in the silent shade with empty praise. Pope.
Producing nothing; unfruitful; -- said of a plant or tree; as, an empty vine.
Seven empty ears blasted with the east wind. Gen. xli. 27.
Destitute of, or lacking, sense, knowledge, or courtesy; as, empty brains; an empty coxcomb.
That in civility thou seem'st so empty. Shak.
Destitute of reality, or real existence; unsubstantial; as, empty dreams. ✍ Empty is used as the first element in a compound; as, empty-handed, having nothing in the hands, destitute; empty-headed, having few ideas; empty-hearted, destitute of feeling. Syn. -- See Vacant.

plural Empties

An empty box, crate, cask, etc.; -- used in commerce, esp. in transportation of freight; as, "special rates for empties."

imperfect & past participle Emptied ; present participle & verbal noun Emptying

To deprive of the contents; to exhaust; to make void or destitute; to make vacant; to pour out; to discharge; as, to empty a vessel; to empty a well or a cistern.
The clouds . . . empty themselves upon the earth. Eccl. xi. 3.