emptily

IPA/ˈemptɪli/
IPA/ˈemptɪli/

emptily — adverb

1. Used to describe a space, container, or area that has nothing or no one inside —

1.adverbB2
Definition

Used to describe a space, container, or area that has nothing or no one inside — conveying how something looks or feels when it is unoccupied or unfilled.

Example

After the last customer left, the restaurant stood emptily under the dim lights.

collocation: stood emptily describing an empty space

The shelves sat emptily after the shop sold all its stock during the sale.

collocation: sat emptily describing an unfilled space

Common collocations
  • stood emptily
  • sat emptily
  • stared emptily back
  • echoed emptily
Synonyms
  • vacantly

    focuses on the absence of people or activity rather than things

  • barely

    describes a space with very little in it, not necessarily completely empty

Antonyms
  • fully

    the opposite of being empty or unfilled

Usage Note

Commonly pairs with verbs of position or state such as 'stand', 'sit', 'stare', 'echo', or 'lie' to describe a physical space that is noticeably unfilled.

Common Mistakes

The box was emptily after I took the books.
The box sat emptily after I took the books.
'emptily' is an adverb, not an adjective; use it with a verb, not as a complement of 'be'.

2. Hollow or insincere in manner — describing speech, gestures, or promises that ap

2.adverbC1
Definition

Hollow or insincere in manner — describing speech, gestures, or promises that appear to have feeling but lack real depth or sincerity.

Example

The candidate smiled emptily at the crowd and repeated the same rehearsed line.

collocation: smiled emptily describing a hollow gesture

Élise nodded emptily as her colleague talked on, not really listening to a word.

collocation: nodded emptily describing an insincere response

Common collocations
  • smiled emptily
  • nodded emptily
  • rang emptily
  • promised emptily
Synonyms
  • hollowly

    stronger emotional tone, often suggesting deliberate deception

  • mechanically

    focuses on doing something without thought, rather than without sincerity

Antonyms

Usage Note

Often used with verbs of speaking or gesturing — 'smile', 'nod', 'promise', 'apologise', 'ring' — to show that the action or words lack real conviction.

Common Mistakes

He emptily promised to help but never showed up.
His promise rang emptily when he never showed up.
'emptily' typically describes the manner of an action or sound, not placed before the verb as a simple manner adverb.

3. Without purpose, interest, or hope — describing actions done with no energy or d

3.adverbC1
Definition

Without purpose, interest, or hope — describing actions done with no energy or direction, often from boredom, tiredness, or sadness.

Example

After retiring, Felipe spent his days emptily wandering from room to room.

collocation: emptily wandering describing aimless action

Shanti stared emptily at the television, not really watching the show.

collocation: stared emptily describing a lack of interest

Common collocations
  • stared emptily
  • gazed emptily
  • wandering emptily
  • scrolled emptily
Synonyms
  • aimlessly

    suggests physical movement without a destination; slightly less emotional

  • listlessly

    emphasises a lack of energy or spirit rather than a lack of purpose

Antonyms

Usage Note

Frequently used with verbs of looking or moving — 'stare', 'gaze', 'wander', 'scroll' — to show that the person is going through the motions without real engagement or enjoyment.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four words describe a lack of something, but each points to a different kind of absence. 'Emptily' is the broadest term — it can describe a physical space with nothing inside (the room stood emptily), a gesture with no real feeling (she smiled emptily), or a life with no purpose (he wandered emptily). 'Vacantly' focuses on the absence of people or activity in a space (a vacantly silent corridor) or on a person's unfocused gaze (she stared vacantly). 'Hollowly' carries a stronger emotional tone of deception or loss, often used for sounds or words (the promise echoed hollowly). 'Barely' is narrower — it means 'almost not at all' (he could barely see) or describes a space with very little in it (barely furnished). Choose 'emptily' for general emptiness or insincerity, 'vacantly' for an unoccupied look or space, 'hollowly' for something that sounds fake or dead, and 'barely' for something that is almost absent.

emptily ↗vacantly ↗hollowly ↗barely ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • stood emptily
  • sat emptily
  • stared emptily
  • rang emptily
  • smiled emptily
  • nodded emptily
  • wandered emptily
  • echoed emptily
  • scrolled emptily

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed in English from 'empty' (adjective, from Old English 'ǣmtig' meaning 'unoccupied, vacant') plus the adverb-forming suffix '-ly'. The adjective 'empty' replaced the earlier 'empty' form during the Middle English period. The adverb 'emptily' has been used since the 1500s.