vacant

[vey-kuhnt]

adjective

1. having no contents; empty; void.

   a vacant niche.

2. having no occupant; unoccupied.

   no vacant seats on this train.

3. not in use.

   a vacant room.

4. devoid of thought or reflection.

   a vacant mind.

5. characterized by, showing, or proceeding from lack of thought or intelligence.

   a vacant answer; a vacant expression on a face.

   Synonyms: inane, vacuous, blank

6. not occupied by an incumbent, official, or the like, as a benefice or office.

7. free from work, business, activity, etc..

   vacant hours.

8. characterized by or proceeding from absence of occupation.

   a vacant life.

9. devoid or destitute (often followed byof ).

   He was vacant of human sympathy.

10. Law.

    1. having no tenant and devoid of furniture, fixtures, etc. (unoccupied ).

       a vacant house.

    2. idle or unutilized; open to any claimant, as land.

    3. without an incumbent; having no heir or claimant; abandoned.

       a vacant estate.

vacant

/ ˈveɪkənt /

adjective

1. without any contents; empty

2. devoid (of something specified)

3. having no incumbent; unoccupied

   a vacant post

4. having no tenant or occupant

   a vacant house

5. characterized by or resulting from lack of thought or intelligent awareness

   a vacant stare

6. (of time, etc) not allocated to any activity

   a vacant hour in one's day

7. spent in idleness or inactivity

   a vacant life

8. law (of an estate, etc) having no heir or claimant

Other Word Forms

• vacantly adverb
• vacantness noun
• nonvacant adjective
• nonvacantly adverb
• unvacant adjective
• unvacantly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of vacant¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, Old French, from Latin vacant- (stem of vacāns, present participle of vacāre “to be empty”); -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of vacant¹

C13: from Latin vacāre to be empty

Synonym Study

See empty.

Example Sentences

Officials said the camp was vacant when deputies arrived, and no arrests have been made.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

One of the most recent fires from unpermitted camping was on Sept. 24, on private vacant land near the Malibu Racquet Club, according to the city.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Robbins told the judge the government believes it will end on Feb. 24 and that afterward the role of acting U.S. attorney will remain vacant.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A spokesperson said it was part of a drive to make "pay savings" of about £6.4m, with the reductions made through staff cuts, not replacing vacant roles and reducing some casual contracts.

Read more on BBC

Rangers have compiled a new shortlist containing more than two candidates after Steven Gerrard ruled himself out of the running for the vacant head coach's role.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bare 
• deserted 
• idle 
• unemployed 
• unfilled 
• uninhabited 
• unused