empty-handed

UK: ˌemptiˈhændɪd | US: ˌemptiˈhændɪd

Definition

  1. adj. having nothing in the hands

  2. adj. failing to achieve or gain something despite effort

  3. adj. without bringing or receiving anything

Structure
empty <without contents>hand <part of the body>ed <adjective suffix>
Etymology

The word "empty-handed" combines "empty," derived from Old English ǣmtiġ (meaning "unoccupied" or "void"), and "hand," from Old English hand (referring to the physical limb). The suffix "-ed" turns the phrase into an adjective, describing a state of having empty hands. Historically, the term likely arose from literal scenarios (e.g., returning from hunting without prey) and later extended metaphorically to denote failure or lack of results.

Examples

  1. She returned from the market empty-handed after forgetting her wallet.

  2. Despite hours of searching, the detectives came away empty-handed.

  3. The thief fled empty-handed when the alarm sounded.

  4. He offered to help but left empty-handed when no one accepted.

  5. The team’s efforts were in vain—they finished the competition empty-handed.