First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
vacant
adjective va·cant \ˈvā-kənt\
: not filled, used, or lived in
of a job or position : not occupied by a person : available to be taken by someone
: showing no indication of what someone is thinking, feeling, etc.
Full Definition of VACANT
1
: not occupied by an incumbent, possessor, or officer <a vacant office> <vacant thrones>
2
: being without content or occupant <a vacant seat on a bus> <a vacant room>
3
: free from activity or work : disengaged <vacant hours>
4
: devoid of thought, reflection, or expression <a vacant smile>
5
: not lived in <vacant houses>
6
a : not put to use <vacant land> b : having no heir or claimant : abandoned <a vacant estate>
— va·cant·ly adverb
— va·cant·ness noun
See vacant defined for English-language learners
See vacant defined for kids
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Origin of VACANT
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin vacant-, vacans, present participle of vacare to be empty, be free
Related to VACANT
Synonym Discussion of VACANT
empty, vacant, blank, void, vacuous mean lacking contents which could or should be present. empty suggests a complete absence of contents <an empty bucket>. vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants <a vacant apartment>. blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface <a blank wall>. void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine <a statement void of meaning>. vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance <a vacuous facial expression>.
VACANTLY Defined for Kids
vacant
adjective va·cant \ˈvā-kənt\
Definition of VACANT for Kids
1
: not filled, used, or lived in <a vacant house> <a vacant lot> <a vacant job position>
2
: showing a lack of thought or expression <vacant eyes>
3
: free from duties or care <vacant hours>
— va·cant·ly adverb
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