Vacuous: meaning, definitions and examples
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vacuous
[ ËvĂŠk.ju.És ]
lacking thought
Vacuous means having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless. It can also describe something that is empty or devoid of meaning, purpose, or substance.
Synonyms
emptiness, insipid, meaningless, stupid.
Examples of usage
- The vacuous expression on her face suggested she wasn't paying attention.
- His vacuous comments during the discussion revealed a lack of understanding.
- The movie was criticized for its vacuous plot and shallow characters.
empty space
In a physical sense, vacuous refers to something that is empty or without content. This can describe a literal void or hollowness in an object.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The vacuous room felt cold and uninviting.
- They found a vacuous cave that echoed with sounds.
- The vacuous vessel could hold no water.
Etymology
The word 'vacuous' comes from the Latin term 'vacuus', which means 'empty' or 'void'. This Latin root is part of various words in modern languages indicating emptiness or lack. The term entered English in the early 17th century and has evolved to not only describe physical emptiness but also a lack of intellectual substance or thought. Its usage in philosophical contexts has often highlighted the importance of meaningful discourse versus empty rhetoric. Over time, 'vacuous' took on a negative connotation, often used to criticize statements or expressions that lack depth or insight.