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

: not occupied by an incumbent, possessor, or officer <a vacant office> <vacant thrones>

: being without content or occupant <a vacant seat on a bus> <a vacant room>

: free from activity or work : disengaged <vacant hours>

: devoid of thought, reflection, or expression <a vacant smile>

: not lived in <vacant houses>

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

Origin of VACANT

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin vacant-, vacans, present participle of vacare to be empty, be free

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to VACANT

Synonyms: bare, blank, clean, devoid, stark, toom [chiefly Scottish], empty, vacuous, void

Antonyms: full

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>.

VACANT Defined for Kids