blank

[ blangk ]

adjective

, blank·er, blank·est.

1. (of paper or other writing surface) having no marks; not written or printed on:

   a blank sheet of paper.

2. not filled in, as a printed form:

   a blank check.

3. unrelieved or unbroken by ornament, opening, decoration, etc.:

   a blank wall.

4. lacking some usual or completing feature:

   An image is stamped onto a blank coin by a die.

5. (of a recording medium) containing no previously recorded information: Compare prerecorded ( def 2 ).

   She transferred all the restored data onto a blank hard drive.

   I still have a few blank CD-ROMs.

6. void of interest, variety, results, etc.:

   She sometimes occupied her blank days reading detective stories.

7. showing no attention, interest, or emotion:

   a blank expression on his face.

8. disconcerted; nonplussed; speechless:

   He looked blank when I asked him why he applied for the job.

   Synonyms: perplexed, dumbstruck

9. complete; utter; unmitigated:

   blank stupidity.

   Synonyms: unqualified, absolute, perfect, unadulterated, thorough, pure, downright

10. Archaic. white; pale; colorless.

noun

1. a place where something is lacking; an empty space:

   a blank in one's memory.

   Synonyms: gap, vacancy, void, hiatus, lacuna

2. a space in a printed form, test, etc., to be filled in:

   Write your name in the blank.

3. a printed form containing such spaces:

   Have you filled out one of these blanks?

4. a dash put in place of an omitted letter, series of letters, etc., especially to avoid writing a word considered profane or obscene.
5. Metalworking. a piece of metal ready to be drawn, pressed, or machined into a finished object.
6. blank cartridge.
7. Archery. the bull's-eye.
8. the object toward which anything is directed; aim; target.

verb (used with object)

1. to cross out or delete, especially in order to invalidate or void (usually followed by out ):

   to blank out an entry.

2. Informal. to keep (an opponent) from scoring in a game.
3. Metalworking. to stamp or punch out of flat stock, as with a die.

blank

/ blæŋk /

adjective

1. (of a writing surface) bearing no marks; not written on
2. (of a form, etc) with spaces left for details to be filled in
3. without ornament or break; unrelieved

   a blank wall

4. not filled in; empty; void

   a blank space

5. exhibiting no interest or expression

   a blank look

6. lacking understanding; confused

   he looked blank even after the explanations

7. absolute; complete

   blank rejection

8. devoid of ideas or inspiration

   his mind went blank in the exam

9. unproductive; barren

noun

1. an emptiness; void; blank space
2. an empty space for writing in, as on a printed form
3. a printed form containing such empty spaces
4. something characterized by incomprehension or mental confusion

   my mind went a complete blank

5. a mark, often a dash, in place of a word, esp a taboo word
6. short for blank cartridge
7. a plate or plug used to seal an aperture
8. a piece of material prepared for stamping, punching, forging, etc
9. archery the white spot in the centre of a target
10. draw a blank
    1. to choose a lottery ticket that fails to win
    2. to get no results from something

verb

1. usually foll by out to cross out, blot, or obscure
2. slang.
   to ignore or be unresponsive towards (someone)

   the crowd blanked her for the first four numbers

3. to forge, stamp, punch, or cut (a piece of material) in preparation for forging, die-stamping, or drawing operations
4. often foll by off to seal (an aperture) with a plate or plug
5. informal.
   to prevent (an opponent) from scoring in a game

Derived Forms

• ˈblankness, noun
• ˈblankly, adverb

Other Words From

• blankness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of blank¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English (noun and adjective) from Anglo-French, French blanc; adjective from Germanic; compare Old English blanca “white horse,” Old High German blanch “bright, white” ( German blank )

Word History and Origins

Origin of blank¹

C15: from Old French blanc white, of Germanic origin; related to Old English blanca a white horse

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. draw a blank,
   1. to fail in an attempt; be unsuccessful:

      We've drawn a blank in the investigation.

   2. to fail to comprehend or be unable to recollect:

      He asked me their phone number and I drew a blank.

More idioms and phrases containing blank

In addition to the idiom beginning with blank , also see draw a blank ; fill in (the blanks) .

Synonym Study

See empty.

Example Sentences

After the accusations by Hindenburg, India’s Supreme Court appointed a panel to look into the allegations but gave up when the country’s markets regulator admitted to “drawing a blank” in its investigation.

From New York Times

“If there was something they didn’t think of, they would just ask me, which I loved. I was more than happy to fill those blanks in.”

From Los Angeles Times

It is not a blank canvas for outsiders to fill with ecology in their own image.

From Salon

“At work, I sometimes go blank, filled with fears. Days are better, but after dusk, it becomes hard. I get nightmares.”

From BBC

Today, the firm’s website is a blank page.

From New York Times

Related Words

• dull
• hollow
• immobile
• impassive
• lifeless
• meaningless
• vacant