hollowness
|hol/low/ness|
🇺🇸
/ˈhɑːloʊnəs/
🇬🇧
/ˈhɒlənəs/
empty inside; lacking substance
Etymology
'hollowness' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'holnesse', formed by adding the suffix '-ness' to 'hol', meaning 'having a hollow or being hollow'.
'hollowness' changed from Old English 'holh' / 'hol' (meaning 'a hole, hollow') into Middle English forms like 'holwe' and 'holnesse', and eventually became the modern English word 'hollowness'.
Initially, it meant 'the condition of having a hole or cavity', but over time it evolved to include abstract senses such as 'lack of substance, sincerity, or emotional fullness'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the state or quality of being hollow; having an empty space inside.
The hollowness of the log made it light enough for the children to carry.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
lack of real value, sincerity, or purpose; superficiality.
She sensed a hollowness in his apology; the words sounded rehearsed.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 3
a feeling of emotional emptiness or loss; inner vacancy.
After the celebration ended, he was left with an unexpected hollowness.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 4
the quality of sounding hollow or producing a resonant, echoing sound.
There was a hollowness in the hall's acoustics that made every footstep echo.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/08 22:06