Hollow
'hɒləʊ
Definitions
4 meaningsHaving an empty space inside.
'hɒləʊ
Having a space or gap within; not solid
The log was hollow, and we could see right through it.
💡 Simply: Imagine a candy egg that looks solid from the outside, but when you bite into it, it's empty inside. That's hollow!
👶 For kids: Like a tunnel inside a tree.
More Examples
The bird built its nest in a hollow in the old oak tree.
The sculptor created a hollow statue.
How It's Used
"The tree trunk was hollow."
"Modern sculptures often use the hollow space inside to reduce weight."
Lacking meaning, substance, or sincerity.
'hɒləʊ
Having no real value, sincerity, or substance
The politician's promises sounded hollow.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone saying they care, but their actions don't match their words. Their promises or feelings are hollow.
👶 For kids: When something seems real but isn't true, like fake candy.
More Examples
She found the praise to be hollow because she knew the truth.
His laughter sounded hollow, as if he wasn't truly happy.
How It's Used
"Her words of comfort seemed hollow after she learned the truth."
"Despite the celebration, he felt a hollow feeling of emptiness."
To remove the inside of something, leaving an empty space.
'hɒləʊ
To make a hole or depression in something
The artist hollowed the tree trunk to create a sculpture.
💡 Simply: If you carefully scoop out the inside of something, like a melon or a pumpkin, you're hollowing it out.
👶 For kids: To take the inside out of something.
More Examples
She hollowed out the bread to make a sandwich bowl.
They carefully hollowed the gourd for decoration.
How It's Used
"He hollowed out the pumpkin for the jack-o'-lantern."
"The artisan carefully hollowed the wood to create a bowl."
A depression or indentation, often in the ground.
'hɒləʊ
A depression or cavity in something
The deer sought refuge in a hollow in the woods.
💡 Simply: Imagine a small dip or dip in the ground – like a shallow cave. That's a hollow!
👶 For kids: A small hole or dip in the ground, or a place that is empty inside.
More Examples
The birds nested in a hollow of the old oak tree.
They gathered in a hollow to escape the wind.
How It's Used
"The fox made its den in a hollow under the roots of the tree."
"The hikers found shelter in a hollow during the storm."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
a hollow victory
A victory that feels empty or unsatisfying because the cost was too high or it didn't achieve the desired outcome.
"The team won the game, but it was a hollow victory after losing their star player to injury."
From Old English *holh*, related to *hol* meaning 'hole'. It evolved to describe something empty inside, or lacking substance.
In older texts, 'hollow' was often used to describe the sound of something empty or the appearance of a cavity. It was also used to describe the emptiness of a person's character.
Memory tip
Think of a jack-o'-lantern: it's hollow inside.
Word Origin
"hole"