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.”