# vacant

/ˈveɪkənt/ (US) · /vˈeɪkənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vacant
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. empty or unoccupied

adjective · CEFR B2

empty and available for someone to use, like a hotel room or a seat on a bus.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. showing no thought

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

showing no thought, interest, or intelligence in your expression.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- The hotel has several vacant rooms tonight.
- The company is looking for a new manager to fill the vacant position in the sales department.
- The city council is considering a new tax on vacant properties to encourage owners to rent them out to local residents.

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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.