Pronunciation

/ˈhɑː.loʊ/

Definitions

• Adjective: Having a space or hole inside; not solid; empty or unfilled. For example: “The tree had a hollow trunk where a small animal could hide.”
• Noun: A hole or cavity within something, often a natural depression or space. For example: “They found a cozy little hollow in the forest where they set up camp.”
• Verb (transitive): To make something hollow or with a hollow space inside. For example: “The artisan skillfully hollowed out the log to make a canoe.”
• Adverb: In a manner that suggests emptiness or insincerity. For example: “He spoke in a hollow voice after hearing the bad news.”

Phrases

• “Hollow victory”: A victory that brings no real satisfaction or benefit because of some underlying loss or problem.
• “A hollow sound”: Refers to a sound that echoes or reverberates due to the emptiness of the space it’s produced in.
• “To fall hollow”: When an argument or statement fails to convince or have the intended impact due to its lack of substance or sincerity.

Example Sentences

• Adjective: “The ancient oak had a hollow branch that seemed ready to break.”
• Noun: “The rabbits made their home in the safety of a hollow under a large rock.”
• Verb: “They hollowed out the pumpkin to create a spooky Halloween lantern.”
• Adverb: “His promise to help sounded hollow given his past actions.”

Synonyms

• Vacant (adjective)
• Cavernous (adjective)
• Hole (noun)
• Concave (adjective)
• Empty (adjective)
• Sunken (adjective)
• Devoid (adjective when used in the context of being empty)
• Unsubstantial (adverb when referring to something lacking depth or sincerity)