hollow
/ˈhɒləʊ/ (bre, ipa) · [hˈɑlo] /ˈhɑːləʊ/ (ame, ipa) · [hˈɑlo] /ˈhä-(ˌ)lō/ (ame, mw) · /ˈhɒl.əʊ/ (bre, ipa) · [hˈɑlo] /ˈhɑː.loʊ/ (ame, ipa)
hollow — adjective
- hollowpositive
- hollowercomparative
- hollowestsuperlative
1. describing something that has nothing solid in its middle — like a tree trunk wh
describing something that has nothing solid in its middle — like a tree trunk whose centre is empty, or a chocolate figure with no filling inside.
The old tree beside the stream was completely hollow inside.
Min bit into the chocolate egg and found it was hollow.
hollow chocolate figure — contrasts with solid
The builders used hollow concrete blocks to keep the walls light.
Birds had built a nest inside the hollow part of the fence post.
A hollow log can make a safe hiding place for small animals.
- solid
filled with material throughout; the opposite of 'hollow' in physical description
用法筆記
Commonly used to describe objects that are empty by design (chocolate, blocks) or by natural decay (tree trunks, logs).
常見錯誤
2. curving inward or appearing deeply set in the face, especially the cheeks or the
curving inward or appearing deeply set in the face, especially the cheeks or the area around the eyes, often as a result of tiredness, illness, or old age.
After three nights without proper sleep, Ramón's cheeks looked hollow.
hollow cheeks after lack of sleep
The patient's hollow eyes told the nurse she needed more rest.
hollow eyes — set deep in face
Élise noticed that her grandmother's face had grown more hollow over the winter.
A diet with too little food can give a person hollow cheeks and a thin frame.
The hollow look around her eyes was the first sign that something was wrong.
- full
opposite for describing cheeks; 'full cheeks' means round and healthy-looking
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used for cheeks, eyes, or the face. Not used for other body parts.
常見錯誤
3. lacking real meaning, truth, or honest feeling — used to describe promises, apol
lacking real meaning, truth, or honest feeling — used to describe promises, apologies, praise, or victories that feel empty or without substance.
The politician's hollow promises did not fool anyone in the audience.
collocation: hollow promises
Ayesha knew her apology sounded hollow, even though she meant every word.
sounded hollow — perceptual verb pattern
Winning the trophy without her best friend beside her felt like a hollow victory.
The company's hollow expressions of regret did nothing to change public opinion.
His speech was so full of hollow phrases that no one clapped at the end.
- empty
nearly interchangeable in this abstract sense, but 'hollow' emphasises the shallowness more strongly
- meaningless
focuses on lack of significance rather than lack of sincerity
- superficial
describes something that only appears meaningful on the surface
- vain
emphasises futility; 'vain' often suggests the effort was wasted, not just insincere
- sincere
genuine and honest; the direct opposite of 'hollow' in abstract senses
- meaningful
full of real value or significance
用法筆記
Frequently modifies abstract nouns such as 'promise', 'victory', 'apology', 'praise', 'threat', and 'gesture'. Often used with linking verbs like 'sound', 'feel', and 'ring' (as in 'ring hollow').
常見錯誤
4. describing a low, echoing sound like the noise made when you knock on or hit an
describing a low, echoing sound like the noise made when you knock on or hit an empty container.
When Ramón knocked on the wall, it made a hollow sound.
make a hollow sound — verb-object pattern
The hollow echo of their footsteps travelled down the long empty hallway.
hollow echo — sound description
A hollow thud came from the metal box when it hit the stone floor.
Chidi tapped the old drum and was surprised by the hollow note it produced.
hollow — noun
- hollowsingular
- hollowsplural
1. a hole, empty space, or low area inside or on the surface of something — for exa
a hole, empty space, or low area inside or on the surface of something — for example, a gap in a tree trunk, a dip in the ground, or a space inside a rock.
The rabbit disappeared into a hollow beneath the roots of the oak tree.
into a hollow — prepositional phrase showing destination
Rainwater had collected in a small hollow on the garden path.
Ramón kept the spare key in a hollow in the stone wall behind the gate.
The ground had a deep hollow where the old tree roots had rotted away.
- bump
a raised area on a surface; the opposite of a depression or hollow
用法筆記
Often used with a prepositional phrase specifying location: 'a hollow in [something]'. Different from 'hole' — a 'hollow' is usually a depression or cavity rather than an opening that goes all the way through.
常見錯誤
2. a small valley or sheltered basin of land, usually bounded by hills or low mount
a small valley or sheltered basin of land, usually bounded by hills or low mountains.
Their farm sat in a quiet hollow between two forested hills.
in a quiet hollow — location description
Defne's family had lived in that hollow for three generations.
A small stream wound through the hollow, watering the rice paddies on both sides.
The village of about thirty houses lay in a sheltered hollow near the coast.
- ridge
the raised crest of a hill; the opposite of a valley or hollow in the landscape
用法筆記
This sense is most common in place names (e.g., 'Sleepy Hollow') and in rural or literary descriptions of the landscape. In everyday conversation, 'valley' is far more frequent than 'hollow' for this meaning.
hollow — verb
- hollowpresent simple I / you / we / they
- hollows3rd person singular
- hollowing-ing form
- hollowedpast simple
1. to take out the inner part of something so that only the outer shell or surface
to take out the inner part of something so that only the outer shell or surface remains — for example, removing the flesh from a pumpkin to make a lantern, or clearing the inside of a log.
Christopher hollowed out the pumpkin and put a candle inside it.
hollow out — phrasal verb for removing insides
To make a simple canoe, you first need to hollow a large tree trunk.
The children hollowed the inside of the log to create a secret hiding spot.
Min hollowed out the loaf of bread to make a bowl for the soup.
- fill
to put material into a space; the opposite of removing the inside
文法句型
hollow + object
hollow out + object
hollow + object + out
用法筆記
Very commonly used with the particle 'out' to form the phrasal verb 'hollow out'. The particle can split: 'hollow the pumpkin out' or 'hollow out the pumpkin' — both are correct.
常見錯誤
2. to create or form a three-dimensional shape by removing interior material — for
to create or form a three-dimensional shape by removing interior material — for example, carving a dish from a block of wood or cutting a space into a cliff face.
The artist hollowed a small bowl from a single piece of oak wood.
hollow + shaped object + from + material
Wren hollowed out a space in the cliff to make a small shelter for hikers.
hollow out + a space — creating a cavity for a purpose
The carpenter hollowed a groove along the edge of the board to fit the glass panel.
Pim hollowed a shallow basin from the clay block to use as an ashtray.
- mould
to shape by adding material to a form, rather than removing it
文法句型
hollow + object + from/in
hollow out + object
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with sense 1 but is distinguished by its focus on the finished shape or object as the direct object (e.g., 'hollow a bowl') rather than the material the material being removed (e.g., 'hollow a pumpkin').
3. to gradually become empty inside or develop a cavity over time, usually because
to gradually become empty inside or develop a cavity over time, usually because of natural processes like decay, erosion, or growth.
Over centuries, the sandstone cliff slowly hollowed from wind and rain.
hollow + from + cause — intransitive pattern
The stem of the bamboo plant hollows naturally as it reaches full height.
The heart of the old oak had hollowed so much that only the bark held it up.
Some plant stems hollow as they grow, creating tubes for water to travel through.
- erode
describes gradual wearing away; 'erode' is broader and includes surface-level wearing, while 'hollow' is specifically from the inside out
- solidify
to become firm and solid; the opposite of becoming hollow
文法句型
hollow + (over time)
hollow + from [cause]
用法筆記
Intransitive — no direct object. The subject becomes hollow through a natural or gradual process. This sense is much less common than the transitive uses (senses 1 and 2).