hollower
ˈhä-lə-wər
; hollowest
ˈhä-lə-wəst
2
: having an unfilled or hollowed-out space within
a hollow tree
3
: lacking in real value, sincerity, or substance : false, meaningless
hollow promises
a victory over a weakling is hollow and without triumph—Ernest Beaglehole
4
: reverberating like a sound made in or by beating on a large empty enclosure : muffled
heard a hollow sound when he knocked on the wall
hollowness
noun
plural hollows
hollowed; hollowing; hollows
1
: to remove the inside of : to make hollow (see hollow entry 1)
a hollowed tree
hollowing out pumpkins for Halloween
2
: to form by removing the inside of something : to form by making something hollow
—usually used with out
rain barrels hollowed out from trees—Robert Shaplen
hollowing out a tunnel
: to become hollow
his cheeks had hollowed
1
: so as to have a hollow (see hollow entry 1 sense 4) sound
The sound echoed hollow in the cave.
: in a way that reflects a lack of real value, sincerity, or substance
Their threats rang hollow.
2
: completely, thoroughly
—often used with all
"… Edward is always real glad to get some of the old farmhouse goodies. He says they beat city cooking all hollow, and so they do."—Lucy Maud Montgomery
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share