Definition of hollow

< Hollingshead, Raphael

hollowware >

hol·low    (hl) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:
hol·low·er, hol·low·est

1. Having a cavity, gap, or space within: a hollow wall.
2. Deeply indented or concave; sunken: "His bearded face already has a set, hollow look" (Conor Cruise O'Brien).
3. Without substance or character: a hollow person. See Synonyms at vain.
4. Devoid of truth or validity; specious: "Theirs is at best a hollow form of flattery" (Annalyn Swan).
5. Having a reverberating, sepulchral sound: hollow footsteps.

NOUN:

1. A cavity, gap, or space: a hollow behind a wall.
2. An indented or concave surface or area.
3. A void; an emptiness: a hollow in one's life.
4. A small valley between mountains.

VERB:
hol·lowed, hol·low·ing, hol·lows
VERB:
tr.

1. To make hollow: hollow out a pumpkin.
2. To scoop or form by making concave: hollow out a nest in the sand.

VERB:
intr.

To become hollow or empty.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English holwe, holowe, from holgh, hole, burrow (influenced by hole, hollow), from Old English holh; see kel-¹ in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
hollow·ly(Adverb), hollow·ness(Noun)