'empty' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'ǣmtig', where 'ǣmta' meant 'leisure' and '-ig' was a suffix forming adjectives.

'ǣmtig' transformed into the Middle English word 'emty', and eventually became the modern English word 'empty'.

Initially, it meant 'at leisure or unoccupied', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'containing nothing'.