vacant

[ vey-kuhnt ]

adjective

1. having no contents; empty; void:

   a vacant niche.

2. having no occupant; unoccupied:

   no vacant seats on this train.

3. not in use:

   a vacant room.

4. devoid of thought or reflection:

   a vacant mind.

5. characterized by, showing, or proceeding from lack of thought or intelligence:

   a vacant answer; a vacant expression on a face.

   Synonyms: inane, vacuous, blank

6. not occupied by an incumbent, official, or the like, as a benefice or office.
7. free from work, business, activity, etc.:

   vacant hours.

8. characterized by or proceeding from absence of occupation:

   a vacant life.

9. devoid or destitute (often followed by of ):

   He was vacant of human sympathy.

10. Law.
    1. having no tenant and devoid of furniture, fixtures, etc. ( unoccupied ):

       a vacant house.

    2. idle or unutilized; open to any claimant, as land.
    3. without an incumbent; having no heir or claimant; abandoned:

       a vacant estate.

vacant

/ ˈveɪkənt /

adjective

1. without any contents; empty
2. postpositivefoll byof devoid (of something specified)
3. having no incumbent; unoccupied

   a vacant post

4. having no tenant or occupant

   a vacant house

5. characterized by or resulting from lack of thought or intelligent awareness

   a vacant stare

6. (of time, etc) not allocated to any activity

   a vacant hour in one's day

7. spent in idleness or inactivity

   a vacant life

8. law (of an estate, etc) having no heir or claimant

Derived Forms

• ˈvacantness, noun
• ˈvacantly, adverb

Other Words From

• vacant·ly adverb
• vacant·ness noun
• non·vacant adjective
• non·vacant·ly adverb
• un·vacant adjective
• un·vacant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of vacant¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, Old French, from Latin vacant- (stem of vacāns, present participle of vacāre “to be empty”); -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of vacant¹

C13: from Latin vacāre to be empty

Synonym Study

See empty.

Example Sentences

While the position remained vacant earlier this year, she claims, she was summoned to a meeting with interim Chief Dominic Choi, who asked her whether she could “get along with McMillion” if she took over SWAT.

From Los Angeles Times

Stoke Newington Town Hall, designed in art deco style by architect J. Reginald Truelove, was built between 1935 and 1937 but has remained vacant for several years meaning the space can no longer be used fully, Historic England said.

From BBC

"It has now been vacant for a third of its built life. Careful consideration has been given to the history.... and the University of Salford, intends to demolish the building."

From BBC

The building was the inaugural winner of the Stirling Prize in 1996, but has been vacant for the past eight years.

From BBC

So, who are the potential star signings that could fill the vacant hot seat to become the show's sixth main presenter in its 60-year history?

From BBC

Related Words

• bare
• deserted
• idle
• unemployed
• unfilled
• uninhabited
• unused