vacuous Hear it!

vacuous Definition

vacu·ous (vak′yo̵̅o̅ əs)

adjective

  1. empty of matter
  2. having or showing lack of intelligence, interest, or thought; stupid; senseless; inane
  3. characterized by lack of purpose, of profitable employment, etc.; idle

Etymology: L vacuus

Related Forms:

vacuous Synonyms

vacuous

modif.

  1. Empty

    void, emptied, drained; see depleted, empty 1.

  2. Dumb

    inane, blank, unreasoning; see dull 3, 4. See syn. study at empty.

vacuous Usage Examples

Used with adjective complement

  • become: Restricted definitions of this kind are essential in qualitative arms control, however, without which the whole enterprise would become vacuous.

Modifying Another Word

  • intellectually: This makes a visit to the museum emotionally draining, but intellectually vacuous.
  • not: It's not vacuous, or wasn't meant to be.
  • pretty: The bottom line is not enough happens and that which does is pretty vacuous.
  • somewhat: Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Mary Sutherland.
  • just: In common with most of what Mr Blair says this is just vacuous rubbish.
  • utterly: What the web does is remove any barriers to the expression of utterly vacuous drive.. .

Modifies a noun

  • statement: For us politics isn't about gimmicky pledge cards with vacuous statements.
  • slogan: Unlike Mr Blair's vacuous slogan, there was some substance to the health secretary's claim.
  • celebrity: No-one seems to have any passion for anything these days except for this vacuous celebrity and consumerist culture.
  • expression: He was tall and sporty and wore a permanently vacuous expression.
  • face: Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Mary Sutherland.
  • type: So find out whether Matt really is a Vacuous Presenter Type in the Vacuous Personality Test.