blank Hear it!

blank definition

blank (blaŋk)

adjective

  1. Obsolete colorless or white
    1. not written, recorded, etc. on; not marked; empty a blank sheet of paper, a blank tape
    2. having empty spaces to be filled in
  2. having an empty, vacant, or monotonous look or character
    1. without interest or expression blank looks
    2. showing incomprehension or confusion
  3. empty of thought; lacking ideas a blank mind
  4. unproductive; barren blank years
  5. utter; complete a blank denial
  6. lacking certain elements or characteristics, as a wall without an opening
  7. Slang blankety-blank

Etymology: ME < OFr blanc, white < Frank *blank, white, gleaming, akin to OE blanca, white steed < IE *bhleg-, to shine: see black

noun

  1. an empty space, esp. one to be filled in on a printed form, school test, etc.
  2. a printed form or document with such empty spaces
  3. an emptiness; vacant place or time; void
    1. the center spot of a target
    2. anything aimed at or pointed at
  4. a manufactured article yet to be cut to a pattern or marked with a design a key blank
  5. a lottery ticket that fails to win
  6. a powder-filled cartridge without a bullet
  7. a mark, usually a dash (—), indicating an omitted word, esp. an oath or curse

transitive verb

  1. ☆ to hold (an opponent) scoreless in a game
  2. to stamp with a die from flat stock

Related Forms:

blank Idioms

blank out

to cancel or obscure by covering over; void

draw a blank

  1. to draw a lottery ticket that fails to win
  2. Informal
    1. to be unsuccessful in any attempt
    2. to be unable to remember a particular thing

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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