empty out

empty out — phrasal verb

  • empty outbase form
  • empties out3rd person singular
  • emptying out-ing form
  • emptied outpast simple

1. to take everything out of a container, room, or building so that nothing or nobo

1.phrasal verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to take everything out of a container, room, or building so that nothing or nobody is left inside; or for a place to become empty as people leave it.

Example

Marco emptied out his backpack on the kitchen table, searching for his library card.

object (container) between verb and particle: empty + [object] + out

Ravindra emptied the dusty files out of the cabinet before the company moved offices.

particle separated from verb by object phrase

Common collocations
  • empty out a drawer / cupboard / cabinet
  • empty out a room / apartment / building
  • empty out one's pockets / bag / suitcase
  • the theater / stadium / hall empties out
Synonyms
  • clear out

    more informal; often implies removing unwanted items, not just everything

  • clean out

    focuses on cleaning while emptying; includes a scrubbing/wiping step

  • drain

    only for liquids; cannot be used for solid objects or people

Antonyms
  • fill up

    opposite action — putting things into a space

  • pack

    putting items into a container for storage or travel

Grammar Patterns

empty + noun phrase + out

empty out + noun phrase

empty out (intransitive)

Usage Note

The particle 'out' is commonly placed between the verb and the object in informal speech (empty the drawer out). The intransitive pattern (the auditorium emptied out) is used specifically for places becoming empty of people. For containers, use the transitive pattern.

Common Mistakes

I emptied out.' (meaning I left the room)
I emptied out the room.' or 'The room emptied out after the meeting.
'Empty out' without an object only works when the subject is a place, not a person.

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Empty' comes from Old English 'ǣmtig' meaning 'vacant, unoccupied', and 'out' comes from Old English 'ūt'. The phrasal verb 'empty out' combines these to emphasise the complete removal of contents, reinforcing the sense of thoroughness.