Dictionary.com

devoid

[ dih-void ]
/ dɪˈvɔɪd /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for devoid on Thesaurus.com
adjective
not possessing, untouched by, void, or destitute (usually followed by of).
verb (used with object)
to deplete or strip of some quality or substance: imprisonment that devoids a person of humanity.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of devoid

1350–1400; Middle English, originally past participle <Anglo-French, for Old French desvuidier to empty out, equivalent to des-dis-1 + vuidier to empty, void
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to devoid

bare, barren, lacking, vacant, bereft, deficient, denuded, destitute, free from, innocent, needed, sans, void, without

How to use devoid in a sentence

  • They are devoided of personal interest in order to prevent the attention of the spectator from being fixed upon them.

    Major Prophets of To-Day|Edwin E. Slosson

British Dictionary definitions for devoid

devoid
/ (dɪˈvɔɪd) /
adjective
(postpositive foll by of) destitute or void (of); free (from)

Word Origin for devoid

C15: originally past participle of devoid (vb) to remove, from Old French devoidier, from de- de- + voider to void
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK