vacuous
/ˈvækjuəs/ (bre, ipa) · [vˈækjuəs] /ˈvækjuəs/ (ame, ipa) · [vˈækjuəs] /ˈva-kyə-wəs How to pronounce vacuous (audio)/ (ame, mw)
vacuous — adjective
- vacuouspositive
- more vacuouscomparative
- most vacuoussuperlative
1. describing an expression, remark, or activity that appears to contain no meaning
describing an expression, remark, or activity that appears to contain no meaningful thought or genuine purpose.
Despite Lakshmi's confident tone, her argument was vacuous and failed to convince anyone.
collocation: vacuous argument
Eshe stared at the television with a vacuous expression, not really watching anything.
collocation: vacuous expression
The critic called the vacuous film a collection of special effects with no real plot.
Ilan's vacuous smile during the serious meeting made his colleagues question his engagement.
Brandon found the conversation vacuous — everyone was talking but nobody said anything meaningful.
- empty
broader term; 'empty' can describe physical containers, whereas 'vacuous' is restricted to thought and expression.
- blank
specifically of facial expressions; suggests a temporary lack of reaction rather than a lack of intelligence.
- inane
more informal and stronger; suggests silliness or foolishness, not just emptiness.
- mindless
suggests a deliberate absence of thought; 'mindless entertainment' implies it was designed not to require thinking.
- thoughtful
showing careful consideration.
- profound
having deep meaning or insight.
- meaningful
full of significance or purpose.
用法筆記
Commonly modifies nouns like expression, stare, smile, argument, or remark to indicate a lack of meaningful content.