empty
UK: ˈɛmpti | US: ˈɛmpti
adj. containing nothing; not filled or occupied
adj. (of words or gestures) lacking sincerity or substance
vt. to remove all contents from a container or space
The word "empty" originates from Old English "ǣmettig," meaning "at leisure, unoccupied," derived from "ǣmetta" (leisure). The prefix "em-" (variant of "en-") implies a state of being, while the root "pt" traces back to Proto-Germanic "*tōm-" (to pull, fill). Over time, the meaning shifted from "unoccupied" to "containing nothing," influenced by the sense of removing or lacking contents. The suffix "-y" solidifies its adjectival form.
The room was completely empty after the movers left.
His promises felt empty and insincere.
She emptied the trash bin before leaving the office.
An empty stomach made it hard to concentrate.
The streets were empty during the early morning hours.