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Definition of vacuous

vacuous

/ˈvæk.ju.əs/
vac · u · ous
Adverb:vacuously
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vacuous Lexical Profile

vacuous Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Having or showing a lack of thought, intelligence, or serious substance; mindless or superficial.

Example

"The critic dismissed the celebrity interview as a series of vacuous platitudes that offered no real insight."

2

Devoid of matter; empty (chiefly in formal or literary contexts).

Example

"The telescope peered out into the vast, vacuous expanse between distant galaxies."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

While 'vacant' can neutrally describe an unoccupied room or position, 'vacuous' is almost exclusively pejorative and refers to a lack of intelligence, serious thought, or meaningful substance.

• Nearby Words

vaccinator
vaccine
vaccinium
vacuous
vacuously
vacuum
vadodara

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-17th century from Latin vacuus, meaning 'empty' or 'devoid of', which is also the root of 'vacuum' and 'vacant'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Vacuous. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/vacuous
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