Word
vacant
Phoneticsva·cant, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈveɪkənt/
UK/vˈeɪkənt/
Definitions
01empty or unoccupied
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. empty and available for someone to use, like a hotel room or a seat on a bus.
adj. not filled, occupied, or used by anyone; typically applied to physical spaces or positions of employment.
“The sign in the window said there were several vacant rooms for the night.”
“The company has struggled to find a suitable candidate for the vacant managerial position since the previous director retired in June.”
Usage
Often used in formal contexts like real estate or job listings.
Synonyms
02showing no thought
C1 · Advanced Literary
adj. showing no thought, interest, or intelligence in your expression.
adj. characterised by a lack of thought, reflection, or interest; used to describe facial expressions or gazes.
“He just stood there with a vacant look on his face, not hearing a word I said.”
“She stared out of the window with a vacant expression, her mind clearly miles away from the lecture taking place in the hall.”
Usage
Usually precedes the noun it modifies, such as 'stare' or 'look'.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“The townhouse complex, owned by the City of Toronto but vacant for years now, lies in ruins, waiting to be replaced by much taller buildings.” “The process is similar to a vacant seat being filled as soon as someone gets up.” Etymology
From Old French vacant, from Latin vacāns.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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