hollow

[ hol-oh ]

adjective

, hol·low·er, hol·low·est.

1. having a space or cavity inside; not solid; empty:

   a hollow sphere.

2. having a depression or concavity:

   a hollow surface.

3. sunken, as the cheeks or eyes.
4. (of sound) not resonant; dull, muffled, or deep:

   a hollow voice.

5. without real or significant worth; meaningless:

   a hollow victory.

   Synonyms: pointless, futile, empty, vain

6. insincere or false:

   hollow compliments.

7. hungry; having an empty feeling:

   I feel absolutely hollow, so let's eat.

noun

1. an empty space within anything; a hole, depression, or cavity.
2. a valley:

   They took the sheep to graze in the hollow.

3. Foundry. a concavity connecting two surfaces otherwise intersecting at an obtuse angle.

verb (used with object)

1. to make hollow (often followed by out ):

   to hollow out a log.

2. to form by making something hollow (often followed by out ):

   to hollow a place in the sand;

   boats hollowed out of logs.

verb (used without object)

1. to become hollow.

adverb

1. in a hollow manner:

   The politician's accusations rang hollow.

hollow

/ ˈhɒləʊ /

adjective

1. having a hole, cavity, or space within; not solid
2. having a sunken area; concave
3. recessed or deeply set

   hollow cheeks

4. (of sounds) as if resounding in a hollow place
5. without substance or validity
6. hungry or empty
7. insincere; cynical
8. a hollow leg or hollow legs
   the capacity to eat or drink a lot without ill effects

adverb

1. beat someone hollow informal.
   to defeat someone thoroughly and convincingly

noun

1. a cavity, opening, or space in or within something
2. a depression or dip in the land

verb

1. to make or become hollow
2. to form (a hole, cavity, etc) or (of a hole, etc) to be formed

Derived Forms

• ˈhollowly, adverb
• ˈhollowness, noun

Other Words From

• hol·low·ly adverb
• hol·low·ness noun
• half-hol·low adjective
• un·hol·low adjective
• un·hol·lowed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hollow¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English holow, holw(e), Old English holh “a hollow place”; akin to hole

Word History and Origins

Origin of hollow¹

C12: from holu, inflected form of Old English holh cave; related to Old Norse holr, German hohl; see hole

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. beat all hollow, to surpass or outdo completely: Also beat hollow.

   His performance beat the others all hollow.

More idioms and phrases containing hollow

see beat the pants off (hollow) .

Example Sentences

It’s expensive, ineffective, and hollow.

From Slate

If Donald Trump thinks he’s going to fire all the “woke” commanders in the military and replace them with Republican loyalists who hew to the discriminatory party line of Trumpism, he’s going to end up with a hollow military.

From Salon

So why does she return to the same horrible situation seeking the same hollow validation?

From Los Angeles Times

Survivors have argued that Luxon's apology rings hollow unless it is accompanied with proper plans for restitution.

From BBC

From Dec. 18 to Jan. 5, a portion of the studio’s backlot will be remade into the fictional town of Stars Hollow, Conn., with looks at key filming locations and props, as well as costume contests and cookie decorating activities.

From Los Angeles Times