Hollow Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)
Britannica Dictionary definition of HOLLOW
1
:
having nothing inside
:
not solid
- a hollow log
2
:
curved inward or down
- hollow [=_sunken_] cheeks
- There was a hollow spot in the field.
3
:
not having real value or meaning
- They achieved a hollow victory over a team missing its best players. [=their victory was not an important or impressive one since the other team was missing its best players]
- She made hollow promises. [=she made promises she would not keep]
- Their threats ring hollow. = Their threats have a hollow ring. [=their threats do not seem truthful or sincere]
4
◊ A sound that is hollow is like the sound made when you hit something that is empty inside.
- He heard a hollow sound when he knocked on the wall.
5
:
weak and without any emotion
- “It's useless,” he said in a hollow voice.
- a hollow laugh
— hollowly
adverb
- “It's useless,” he said hollowly.
— hollowness
noun
[noncount]
- the hollowness of her promises
Britannica Dictionary definition of HOLLOW
[count]
1
:
a place or area (especially on the ground) that is lower than the area around it
- a grassy hollow
2
:
an empty space inside of something
- The owls nested in the hollow of a tree.
in the hollow of your hand
◊ If you hold something in the hollow of your hand, you hold it in your palm with your hand curved like a cup
- I held the bead in the hollow of my hand.
Britannica Dictionary definition of HOLLOW
[+ object]
:
to remove the inside of (something)
- They hollowed the log to make a canoe.
— often used as (be) hollowed
- a hollowed tree
hollow out
[phrasal verb]
1
hollow (something) out
or
hollow out (something)
:
to remove the inside of (something)
:
to make an empty space in (something)
- The kids were hollowing out pumpkins.
- a hollowed-out log
2
:
to form (something) by digging or cutting the inside of something
- Workers hollowed out a tunnel through the mountain.
- He hollowed out a bowl from the wood.