empty-handed
Americanadjective
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having nothing in the hands, as in doing no work.
While we were carrying out the luggage, he stood by empty-handed.
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having gained nothing.
to return from a quest empty-handed.
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bringing no gift, donation, etc..
They came to the birthday party empty-handed.
adjective
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carrying nothing in the hands
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having gained nothing
they returned from the negotiations empty-handed
Etymology
Origin of empty-handed
First recorded in 1605–15
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Rising star Young did not leave empty-handed, picking up best breakthrough artist while Wolf Alice snagged group of the year.
From Barron's • Feb. 28, 2026
“Hamnet,” another strong Oscar contender, didn’t leave empty-handed.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026
Instead, Shiffrin left China empty-handed after failing to complete three of her races.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026
Roan was nominated for two Grammys on Sunday - record of the year and best pop solo performance, both for The Subway, but she came away empty-handed.
From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026
But at the end of it, Arturo came up empty-handed.
From "The Book of Unknown Americans" by Cristina Henríquez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
