What does hollow mean?
Hollow is a versatile word describing emptiness both literally and figuratively. An object may be hollow because it has an empty interior, while a promise, argument, or victory may be hollow because it lacks substance, truth, or lasting value. The word can also describe a voice or sound that seems deep, muffled, or empty. As a noun, a hollow is a cavity or depression, such as the hollow of a tree or a path. As a verb, to hollow means to make something empty or to remove its interior, as in hollowing out a log. The figurative senses are especially common in discussion of speech, politics, promises, and personal lives, where hollow describes something outwardly impressive but essentially empty.
Empty inside; lacking substance, truth, or significance; or producing a deep, muffled sound.
"The speaker made a hollow promise that she had no intention of keeping."
The figurative sense is common and often implies that something is false, insincere, or lacking real value.
A cavity, depression, or enclosed space, especially in a tree, hill, or piece of ground.
"A small hollow in the hedge provided shelter for the fox."
This sense is less common in modern general usage than the adjective's figurative senses.
To make something empty or remove its interior contents.
"The craftsperson hollowed out a section of the bamboo stem."
The phrasal form 'hollow out' is especially frequent.
A hollow promise can sound impressive while containing nothing at all.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hollow come from?
The word comes from Old English hol, meaning a hollow place or cavity, and was originally associated with a physical depression or the inside of something. It developed into an adjective describing an empty interior and later acquired figurative meanings involving lack of substance or sincerity. The modern noun and verb continue this physical sense, while related words such as cavity, cavern, and excavate reflect the Latin root cavus, meaning hollow or hollowed out.
Related word forms
How hollow is actually used
As an adjective, hollow commonly carries a figurative sense of being insincere, false, or empty of real meaning. The phrase 'hollow laugh' usually describes laughter that sounds forced or insincere. As a verb, 'hollow out' is especially common; it can mean either to empty a container or to shape an object by removing its interior.
Easily confused with hollow
A hollow is the noun for an empty space or cavity, whereas hollow is the adjective describing something empty, insincere, or lacking substance.
Hollow is the base form, while hollowed is the past tense or past participle of the verb, meaning made empty or emptied.