hollow
Hollow (noun) means a small valley or dip between hills, or a sunken area on a surface. Example: “The old cottage sat in a hollow between two hills.”
How to Use Hollow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEmpty inside — either literally (a hollow tree) or figuratively (a hollow promise that has no real substance behind it).
Don't confuse the adjective (empty inside) with the figurative sense (insincere) — a hollow log is literal, a hollow apology is emotional.
Word Forms
hollower comparative, hollowed past tense, hollowed past tense, hollows plural, hollows singular, hollows singular, hollowest superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old cottage sat in a _____ between two hills.
Etymology
From Old English holh, "a hollow place," ultimately going back to a very old Germanic root also connected to the word "hole."
Related Words
Rhymes for hollow
See all rhymes for hollow →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “hollow” mean?
The word “hollow” means a small valley or dip between hills, or a sunken area on a surface. In plain terms, empty inside — either literally (a hollow tree) or figuratively (a hollow promise that has no real substance behind it).
How do you pronounce “hollow”?
“Hollow” is pronounced HO-loh (/ˈhɑloʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hollow” in a sentence?
Here is “hollow” used in a sentence: “The old cottage sat in a hollow between two hills.”
What part of speech is “hollow”?
Depending on how it is used, “hollow” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “hollow” come from?
The word “hollow” comes from Old English. From Old English holh, "a hollow place," ultimately going back to a very old Germanic root also connected to the word "hole.".
Is “hollow” a common word?
“Hollow” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “hollow” have?
“Hollow” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small valley or dip between hills, or a sunken area on a surface.
What is the difference between "hollow" and "empty"?
Both suggest a lack of contents, but "hollow" specifically describes something with an empty space inside a solid outer form, such as a hollow tree or a hollow chocolate egg. "Empty" simply means containing nothing, so a glass can be empty without being hollow.
What is the difference between "hollow" and "hallow"?
Despite the similar spelling, they are unrelated. "Hollow" means having an empty space inside, or a small valley between hills, while "hallow" is a verb meaning to make holy or honour as sacred, as in "hallowed ground."
When is "hollow" used to describe words or feelings?
Beyond physical objects, "hollow" describes something insincere or lacking real substance, as in a "hollow promise," "hollow victory," or "hollow laugh." In this figurative sense it suggests the outward form is present but the genuine meaning behind it is missing.
What are common collocations with "hollow"?
Frequent pairings include "hollow victory," "hollow promise," "hollow cheeks," and "hollow log." The idiom "beat someone hollow" means to defeat them completely and decisively.