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
-
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.
The VA says it’s already tested that course and came up empty-handed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026
Elizabeth Holmes, founder of Theranos, walked out of his office empty-handed.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 8, 2026
Pederson isn’t alone in walking away empty-handed from the bet-on-anything markets, which cover sports, celebrities, news and more.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 4, 2026
Twenty-four men have lifted the trophy in Sheffield; hundreds have left empty-handed.
From BBC ● Apr. 20, 2026
We didn’t want to go empty-handed, so we gathered medicinal supplies, clothes, and even old toys.
From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers
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.
