# emptiness

/ˈɛmptinəs/ (US) · /ˈɛmptɪnəs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/emptiness
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

the state of containing nothing, or a feeling of sadness and lack of purpose. You might use it to describe a room with no furniture or a lonely heart.

For teachers: the state of containing nothing; the quality of being vacant or unoccupied. Often used metaphorically to describe a lack of meaning, purpose, or emotional fulfillment.

## Examples

- The emptiness of the house made her feel lonely.
- Astronomers study the vast emptiness of space, where light-years of vacuum separate distant galaxies.
- The protagonist's internal emptiness is mirrored by the desolate landscape of the abandoned mining town, emphasizing the narrative's themes of loss and existential dread.

## Usage notes

- Primarily uncountable; when used in the plural, it typically refers to specific instances or philosophical concepts of void.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.