Word
unfilled
Phoneticsun·filled, stress on the second syllable
US/ənˈfɪɫd/
UK/ʌnfˈɪld/
Definition
adj. empty or still waiting to be filled with something. You use it for seats, forms, or jobs that still need a person or thing in them.
adj. not occupied, supplied, or completed; remaining empty or vacant. Accepts degree modification and appears both before nouns and after linking verbs.
Examples
“Two seats stay unfilled at the back of the bus.”
“She leaves the last page of her notebook unfilled for notes from the final class.”
“The new housing block stood half-lit at dusk, its unfilled flats a quiet reminder that demand had moved elsewhere.”
Examples
simple
“Two seats stay unfilled at the back of the bus.”
contextual
“She leaves the last page of her notebook unfilled for notes from the final class.”
complex
“The new housing block stood half-lit at dusk, its unfilled flats a quiet reminder that demand had moved elsewhere.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “unfilled” in context.
Verb
01. keep unfilled
“They will keep two seats unfilled for late guests.”
verb + adj
02. leave unfilled
“The company decided to leave the position unfilled until January.”
verb + adj
03. remain unfilled
“Several teaching posts remain unfilled at the start of term.”
verb + adj
04. stay unfilled
“If no one applies, the job will stay unfilled.”
verb + adj
Adjective
05. completely unfilled
“The form was returned completely unfilled and had to be done again.”
adv + adj
06. largely unfilled
“The new apartment block is still largely unfilled this year.”
adv + adj
07. still unfilled
“The job is still unfilled after three months of searching.”
adv + adj
Noun
08. unfilled form
“Please do not return an unfilled form to the office.”
adj + noun
09. a row of unfilled seats
“There was a row of unfilled seats at the front of the hall.”
10. leave the position unfilled
“The school had to leave the position unfilled until next term.”
11. remain unfilled for months
“The flat remained unfilled for months because the rent was high.”
12. return an unfilled form
“Do not return an unfilled form to the reception desk.”
Usage
Used both before a noun and after linking verbs such as 'be', 'remain', or 'leave'.
Real-World Examples
“It meant going through a long hiring process, leaving those key jobs unfilled for months.” “By OECD measures they are actually milder – fewer posts go unfilled – although French teachers receive relatively low pay.” “But it still leaves 92 out of 196 ambassador jobs currently unfilled.” “Schools that have large numbers of unfilled places tend to perform worse on average, but closing them won’t necessarily improve results.” Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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