hollow
hol|low /h'ɒloʊ/ (hollows hollowing hollowed)
1 [ADJ]
Something that is hollow has a space inside it, as opposed to being solid all the way through.
...a hollow tree.
...a hollow cylinder.
2 [ADJ]
A surface that is hollow curves inwards.
He looked young, dark and sharp-featured, with hollow cheeks.
3 [N-COUNT]
A hollow is a hole inside a tree.
I made my home there, in the hollow of a dying elm.
4 [N-COUNT] oft N of/in/between n
A hollow is an area that is lower than the surrounding surface.
Below him the town lay warm in the hollow of the hill.
5 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you describe a statement, situation, or person as hollow, you mean they have no real value, worth, or effectiveness.
Any threat to bring in the police is a hollow one.
● hollowness [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of/behind n
One month before the deadline we see the hollowness of these promises.
6 [ADJ] ADJ n
If someone gives a hollow laugh, they laugh in a way that shows that they do not really find something amusing.
Murray Pick's hollow laugh had no mirth in it.
7 [ADJ] ADJ n
A hollow sound is dull and echoing.
...the hollow sound of a gunshot.
8 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed, V-ed
If something is hollowed, its surface is made to curve inwards or downwards.
The mule's back was hollowed by the weight of its burden.
...her high, elegantly hollowed cheekbones.
1 [ADJ]
Something that is hollow has a space inside it, as opposed to being solid all the way through.
...a hollow tree.
...a hollow cylinder.
2 [ADJ]
A surface that is hollow curves inwards.
He looked young, dark and sharp-featured, with hollow cheeks.
3 [N-COUNT]
A hollow is a hole inside a tree.
I made my home there, in the hollow of a dying elm.
4 [N-COUNT] oft N of/in/between n
A hollow is an area that is lower than the surrounding surface.
Below him the town lay warm in the hollow of the hill.
5 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you describe a statement, situation, or person as hollow, you mean they have no real value, worth, or effectiveness.
Any threat to bring in the police is a hollow one.
● hollowness [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of/behind n
One month before the deadline we see the hollowness of these promises.
6 [ADJ] ADJ n
If someone gives a hollow laugh, they laugh in a way that shows that they do not really find something amusing.
Murray Pick's hollow laugh had no mirth in it.
7 [ADJ] ADJ n
A hollow sound is dull and echoing.
...the hollow sound of a gunshot.
8 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed, V-ed
If something is hollowed, its surface is made to curve inwards or downwards.
The mule's back was hollowed by the weight of its burden.
...her high, elegantly hollowed cheekbones.