definitions

empty-handed

[ emp-tee-han-did ]
/ ˈɛmp tiˈhæn dɪd /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR empty-handed ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having nothing in the hands, as in doing no work: While we were carrying out the luggage, he stood by empty-handed.
having gained nothing: to return from a quest empty-handed.
bringing no gift, donation, etc.: They came to the birthday party empty-handed.

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RELATED WORDS

underprivileged, poverty-stricken, needy, meager, penniless, low, impoverished, destitute, indigent, flat, down-and-out, bankrupt, scanty, suffering, insolvent, beggarly, broke, impecunious, penurious, reduced

Nearby words

empty nest, empty nester, empty set, empty suit, empty word, empty-handed, empty-headed, empty-nest syndrome, empty-nester, empurple, empyema

Origin of empty-handed

First recorded in 1605–15
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for empty-handed

British Dictionary definitions for empty-handed

empty-handed

adjective

carrying nothing in the hands
having gained nothingthey returned from the negotiations empty-handed
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