verb

vacate

vay-KAYT

Vacate (verb) means to leave a property, room, or position, making it available for someone else. Example: “Guests must vacate their rooms by 11am.”

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verb

To leave a property, room, or position, making it available for someone else.

"Guests must vacate their rooms by 11am."

"She vacated the post after ten years as director."

Law: to make a court ruling or judgment void.

"The appeals court vacated the earlier conviction."

How to use vacate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo leave a place or position so it becomes empty/available, or (in law) to cancel a ruling.

Common pairings

vacate the premises vacate a judgment vacate the position

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

vacated past tense, vacates singular

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Fill the gap

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Guests must _____ their rooms by 11am.

Etymology

From Latin vacare ("to be empty, to be unoccupied"); the legal sense of "annul" came first in English, with "move out of" developing later.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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empty lift reverse abandon resign repeal renounce revoke overturn annul rescind give up

Related words

full higher wind jack raise fill empty deliver

Rhymes for vacate

ate date rate mate fate abate slate plate state grate create update

See all rhymes for vacate →

Frequently asked questions

What does “vacate” mean?

The word “vacate” means to leave a property, room, or position, making it available for someone else. In plain terms, to leave a place or position so it becomes empty/available, or (in law) to cancel a ruling.

How do you pronounce “vacate”?

“Vacate” is pronounced vay-KAYT (/veɪˈkeɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “vacate” in a sentence?

Here is “vacate” used in a sentence: “Guests must vacate their rooms by 11am.”

What part of speech is “vacate”?

“Vacate” is a verb.

Where does the word “vacate” come from?

The word “vacate” comes from Latin. From Latin vacare ("to be empty, to be unoccupied"); the legal sense of "annul" came first in English, with "move out of" developing later.

How many meanings does “vacate” have?

“Vacate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to leave a property, room, or position, making it available for someone else.

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