What does void mean?
Void is a formal but widely understood English word whose core idea is emptiness or absence. As an adjective, “void of hope,” “void of meaning,” or “void of evidence” describes something conspicuously lacking an expected quality; “void” can also mean legally invalid, as in a void contract or agreement. As a noun, it names an empty space, a gap in an arrangement, or figuratively a felt lack: a bereaved person may experience a void. As a verb, “to void” means to cancel or render legally ineffective. These related senses share an implication of something being empty, incomplete, or without force. Void can sound solemn and abstract, especially in legal, philosophical, or emotional contexts, while remaining useful in ordinary descriptions such as “fill the void.” Its range makes it valuable: one word can describe physical emptiness, legal nullity, and emotional absence without changing the reader’s basic grasp of what has been removed or rendered ineffective.
Empty or wholly lacking something; legally, having no legal force or validity.
"The minister offered no explanation, leaving the statement void of substance."
The construction “void of” is especially common. In legal English, “void” is often used after the noun it describes.
An empty space, a gap, or an absence; figuratively, a profound sense of emptiness or incompleteness.
"The demolition of the old theatre left a conspicuous void in the town centre."
The noun is most often used figuratively for an emotional, personal, or structural absence.
To cancel, annul, or render legally ineffective; more rarely, to leave empty or clear out.
"The board voted to void the agreement before either party signed it."
This use is formal and is most common in legal and administrative contexts.
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon, especially for the figurative noun.
"The bright voids between the stars seemed vast and unending."
The Latin vacuus meant both “empty” and “free”; the same root also gave English words such as vacant, vacuous, and vacuum.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of void
Void entered Middle English from Anglo-French void, which came from Latin vacuus, meaning “empty,” “free,” or “unoccupied.” Latin vacuus also developed into the legal sense of having no force or validity. Related Latin forms produced English cognates including vacant, vacancy, vacuous, and vacuum.
Related word forms
How void is actually used
Void has a formal, sometimes solemn register, especially in legal, philosophical, and emotional contexts. In legal English it is often placed after the noun, as in “the contract is void.” As a verb, it normally takes a direct object.
Easily confused with void
Avoid means to steer clear of something, whereas void means empty, absent, or legally invalid.
Void and voiced are pronounced alike in isolation, but voiced means having a vocal tone or produced with the vocal cords.