adj
Uncommon
devoid
dih-VOYD
Devoid (adj) means Completely lacking in something; empty of a particular quality. Example: “The room was devoid of any personal touches.”
adj
1
Completely lacking in something; empty of a particular quality.
"The room was devoid of any personal touches."
"His speech was devoid of any real substance."
How to use devoid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTotally without something — always followed by "of."
Common mistake
Always pairs with "of" ("devoid of emotion"), never used alone as a standalone adjective before a noun.
Common pairings
devoid of emotion
devoid of meaning
completely devoid
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- devoids
- Past tense
- devoided
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The room was _____ of any personal touches.
Etymology
From obsolete Middle English devoiden, "to empty out," from Old French desvuidier, "to empty."
Related words
Rhymes for devoid
See all rhymes for devoid →Frequently asked questions
What does “devoid” mean?
The word “devoid” means completely lacking in something; empty of a particular quality. In plain terms, totally without something — always followed by "of.".
How do you pronounce “devoid”?
“Devoid” is pronounced dih-VOYD (/dɪˈvɔɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “devoid” in a sentence?
Here is “devoid” used in a sentence: “The room was devoid of any personal touches.”
What part of speech is “devoid”?
“Devoid” is an adjective.
Where does the word “devoid” come from?
The word “devoid” comes from Old French. From obsolete Middle English devoiden, "to empty out," from Old French desvuidier, "to empty.".
Is “devoid” a common word?
“Devoid” is an uncommon word in modern English.
