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

After the plants were removed, the glass was left with a complex 3D microfluidic network of micrometer-sized hollow holes where the roots once were.

From Science Daily

"Tourism is a vital part of our local economy, but if we let it go too far in that direction, we end up with our communities being hollowed out," he says.

From BBC

The soft bun is hollowed out and warmed after ordering, making it a “French dog,” as the locals call it.

From Salon

This is a stark reminder of how seductive hollow patriotism and manufactured pride can be, especially in times of economic uncertainty.

From Salon

The atmosphere at the Coliseum on Saturday was lukewarm at best, a hollow homecoming, loads of great Nebraska fans often making more noise than their Trojans seatmates.

From Los Angeles Times