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noun B1 Intermediate Uncommon

vacancy

VAY-kuhn-see

Vacancy (noun) means a job or position that is currently unfilled and available. Example: “The company has a vacancy for a marketing assistant.”

noun
1
A job or position that is currently unfilled and available.
"The company has a vacancy for a marketing assistant."
2
An available room in a hotel or similar accommodation.
"The motel sign flashed "No Vacancy.""
3
An empty or unoccupied space.
"There was a vacancy on the shelf where the vase used to sit."

How to use vacancy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn unfilled job, room, or space.

Common pairings
job vacancy no vacancy fill a vacancy

Word forms

vacancies plural

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Test yourself on “vacancy” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The company has a _____ for a marketing assistant.

Etymology

From Late Latin vacantia, related to vacant.

Origin: Late Latin

opening void gap unoccupied space

Related words

Rhymes for vacancy

See all rhymes for vacancy →

Frequently asked questions

What does “vacancy” mean?

The word “vacancy” means a job or position that is currently unfilled and available. In plain terms, an unfilled job, room, or space.

How do you pronounce “vacancy”?

“Vacancy” is pronounced VAY-kuhn-see (/ˈveɪkənsi/ in IPA).

How do you use “vacancy” in a sentence?

Here is “vacancy” used in a sentence: “The company has a vacancy for a marketing assistant.”

What part of speech is “vacancy”?

“Vacancy” is a noun.

Where does the word “vacancy” come from?

The word “vacancy” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin vacantia, related to vacant.

Is “vacancy” a common word?

“Vacancy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “vacancy” have?

“Vacancy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a job or position that is currently unfilled and available.

What is the difference between a vacancy and a vacation?

A vacancy refers to an unfilled job, room, or space that is currently available, while a vacation refers to a period of leisure travel or rest away from work. The two words are unrelated in meaning despite sharing a similar root.

How is vacancy used differently for jobs versus hotels?

When referring to employment, a vacancy is a job position that is currently unfilled and open to applicants. When referring to hotels, a vacancy is an available room, often indicated by a 'vacancy' sign at the entrance.

What is the difference between a vacancy and an opening?

Vacancy and opening are close synonyms when referring to unfilled jobs, but opening can also refer more broadly to an opportunity or gap, such as a market opening, whereas vacancy specifically implies a position, room, or space left empty.

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