ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hollow

adj. · n. · v.
US //ˈhɑɫoʊ// UK //hˈɒləʊ// hol·low
  1. 1 empty inside (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    having an empty space inside instead of being solid.

    containing an empty space or cavity within a solid structure.

    Example

    The squirrels lived inside a hollow tree in the back garden.

    Example

    The sculpture was cast in bronze but remained hollow to ensure it was light enough for the gallery floor to support.
  2. 2 insincere or meaningless (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    not sincere or having no real value.

    lacking significance, sincerity, or substance; often used to describe promises or victories.

    Example

    His apology felt hollow because he kept making the same mistakes.

    Example

    The politician's promises rang hollow to the voters, who had seen similar pledges go unfulfilled after previous elections.
Show 4 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 sunken or gaunt (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    looking empty and deep, like eyes when someone is very tired.

    having a concave or sunken appearance, typically referring to facial features due to illness or exhaustion.

    Example

    After weeks of illness, his cheeks looked hollow and pale.

    Example

    The protagonist was depicted with hollow eyes and a weary expression, reflecting the psychological toll of his long journey.
  2. 4 echoing sound (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    sounding like it is coming from an empty space.

    characterised by a reverberating, muffled, or low-pitched quality, as if produced within a cavity.

    Example

    We heard a hollow thud when the ball hit the wooden floor.

    Example

    A hollow echoing sound drifted up from the well, suggesting the water level was much lower than they had anticipated.
  3. 5 a hole or valley (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Geography

    a hole in something or a small, low valley.

    a cavity or unfilled space; also a small valley or depression in the land.

    Example

    The rabbit disappeared into a hollow under the roots of the oak tree.

    Example

    The village was nestled in a quiet hollow between two steep ridges, protected from the harsh winter winds.
  4. 6 to make empty (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to remove the inside of something to make it empty.

    to create a cavity or hole by removing the interior of a solid object.

    Example

    The children hollowed out the pumpkin to make a lantern for the party.

    Example

    Artisans would traditionally hollow out the logs using controlled fires and stone tools to create sturdy canoes.

    Usage

    Often used with the particle 'out'.
Etymology 1

From Middle English holow, holowe, holwe, holwȝ, holgh, from Old English holh (“a hollow”), from Proto-West Germanic holh, from Proto-Germanic hulhwą, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *ḱólḱwos. Cognate with Old High German huliwa and hulwa, Middle High German hülwe. Related to hole.

Etymology 2

From Middle English holowe, holwe, holuȝ, holgh, from the noun (see above).

Etymology 3

Compare holler.

Idioms2 entries

© 2026 English Reference