vacant
VAY-kuhnt
Vacant (adjective) means not occupied or in use; empty. Example: “They moved into a vacant house down the street.”
adjective
1
Not occupied or in use; empty.
"They moved into a vacant house down the street."
"There were several vacant seats near the back."
"Is this seat vacant, or is someone sitting here?"
2
Showing no thought or interest; blank.
"He gave a vacant stare and said nothing."
"She wore a vacant expression, as though she hadn't heard a word."
"After the long meeting, his eyes went vacant and he stared at the wall."
How to use vacant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEmpty — whether a building, seat, job, or someone's expression.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
vacant lot
vacant seat
vacant expression
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more vacant
- Superlative
- most vacant
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They moved into a _____ house down the street.
Etymology
From Old French vacant, from Latin vacans ("being empty").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “vacant” mean?
The word “vacant” means not occupied or in use; empty. In plain terms, empty — whether a building, seat, job, or someone's expression.
How do you pronounce “vacant”?
“Vacant” is pronounced VAY-kuhnt (/ˈveɪkənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “vacant” in a sentence?
Here is “vacant” used in a sentence: “They moved into a vacant house down the street.”
What part of speech is “vacant”?
“Vacant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “vacant” come from?
The word “vacant” comes from Latin. From Old French vacant, from Latin vacans ("being empty").
Is “vacant” a common word?
“Vacant” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “vacant” have?
“Vacant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not occupied or in use; empty.
What is the difference between "vacant" and "empty"?
"Vacant" specifically describes a space, position, or property that is not occupied or in use, such as a vacant apartment or vacant job, while "empty" more broadly describes anything lacking contents, including containers or spaces. "Vacant" is common in real estate and employment contexts.
Is "vacant" used for jobs as well as buildings?
Yes, "vacant" commonly describes job positions that are unfilled, as in "a vacant position," as well as physical spaces like rooms, seats, or land that are not currently occupied.
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