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.
Elizabeth Holmes, founder of Theranos, walked out of his office empty-handed.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 8, 2026
Or, as Glenn Whipp puts it, “Jean Smart isn’t going to win this award four straight times and then go home empty-handed for the final season of ‘Hacks.’
From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2026
Twenty-four men have lifted the trophy in Sheffield; hundreds have left empty-handed.
From BBC ● Apr. 20, 2026
“Marty Supreme,” which was nominated for nine awards, went home empty-handed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 16, 2026
If he crept back to Winterfell empty-handed, he might as well dress in motley henceforth and wear a pointed hat; the whole north would know him for a fool.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
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.
