hollow

adjective

UK /ˈhɒləʊ/

Word Forms

adjective	hollow
comparative	hollower
superlative	hollowest

1
empty inside
The tree trunk was completely hollow.
hollow chocolate eggs
Synonyms and related words
Empty of people or things
empty
blank
bare
2
a hollow sound is a low sound like something empty being hit
Synonyms and related words
Describing sounds that are low and/or deep
low
bass
hollow
3
hollow promises or threats are not sincere, or are about things that will not really happen
The government’s election promises now seem increasingly hollow.
Synonyms and related words
Describing and relating to promises and promising
solemn
empty
hollow
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe people or behaviour that is not sincere
insincere
forced
sugary
1. 3a
  with no real meaning
  a hollow display of friendship
  We had won, but it was a hollow victory.
  Synonyms and related words
  Not having a clear meaning
  ambiguity
  ambiguous
  meaningless
4
hollow eyes or cheeks seem to have sunk into your head, for example because you are tired, thin, or ill
Synonyms and related words
Describing the appearance of someone’s eyes
beady
bloodshot
boss-eyed

phrases

have a hollow ring

a hollow laugh

hollow

adjective

US /ˈhɑloʊ/

Word Forms

adjective	hollow
comparative	hollower
superlative	hollowest

1
empty inside
The tree trunk was completely hollow.
hollow chocolate eggs
Synonyms and related words
Empty of people or things
empty
blank
bare
2
hollow promises or threats are not sincere, or are about things that will not really happen
The president’s election promises now seem increasingly hollow.
Synonyms and related words
Describing and relating to promises and promising
solemn
empty
hollow
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe people or behavior that is not sincere
insincere
forced
sugary
1. 2a
  with no real meaning
  a hollow display of friendship
  We had won, but it was a hollow victory.
  Synonyms and related words
  Not having a clear meaning
  ambiguity
  ambiguous
  meaningless
3
a hollow sound is a low sound like something empty being hit
Synonyms and related words
Describing sounds that are low and/or deep
low
bass
hollow
4
hollow eyes or cheeks seem to have sunk into your head, for example because you are tired, thin, or sick
Synonyms and related words
Describing the appearance of someone’s eyes
beady
bloodshot
boss-eyed

phrases

have a hollow ring

a hollow laugh

hollow

noun countable

UK /ˈhɒləʊ/

Word Forms

singular	hollow
plural	hollows

1
a small area in the ground that is lower than the ground around it
Synonyms and related words
Holes and openings in surfaces
abyss
aperture
blowhole
2
an area on someone’s body that is slightly lower than the area around it
Synonyms and related words
Other parts of the body from the outside
abdomen
back
belly

hollow

noun countable

US /ˈhɑloʊ/

Word Forms

singular	hollow
plural	hollows

1
a small area in the ground that is lower than the ground around it
Synonyms and related words
Holes and openings in surfaces
abyss
aperture
blowhole
2
an area on someone’s body that is slightly lower than the area around it
Synonyms and related words
Other parts of the body from the outside
abdomen
back
belly

hollow

verb

UK /ˈhɒləʊ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	hollow
he/she/it	hollows
present participle	hollowing
past tense	hollowed
past participle	hollowed

phrasal verb

hollow out

transitive

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	hollow out
he/she/it	hollows out
present participle	hollowing out
past tense	hollowed out
past participle	hollowed out

1
to make a hole in something by removing what is inside it
Synonyms and related words
To make a hole, dent or line in something
tear
pierce
pit
2
to make or build something by making a hole in something
The amphitheatre had been hollowed out of the steep hillside.
Synonyms and related words
To make a hole, dent or line in something
tear
pierce
pit

hollow

verb

US /ˈhɑloʊ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	hollow
he/she/it	hollows
present participle	hollowing
past tense	hollowed
past participle	hollowed

phrasal verb

hollow out

transitive

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	hollow out
he/she/it	hollows out
present participle	hollowing out
past tense	hollowed out
past participle	hollowed out

1
to make a hole in something by removing what is inside it
Synonyms and related words
To make a hole, dent or line in something
tear
pierce
puncture
2
to make or build something by making a hole in something
The amphitheater had been hollowed out of the steep hillside.
Synonyms and related words
To make a hole, dent or line in something
tear
pierce
puncture

hollow ​‌

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hollow out

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