What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
emptiness
Example
The room had an eerie emptiness to it. [emptiness: noun]
Example
She felt a deep sense of emptiness after her best friend moved away. [emptiness: noun]
Example
He was struck by the emptiness of his life, despite his material success. [emptiness: noun]
hollowness
Example
The hollowness of the tree trunk made it easy to carve. [hollowness: noun]
Example
She couldn't shake off the hollowness she felt after her breakup. [hollowness: noun]
Example
He detected a hollowness in her apology that made him doubt her sincerity. [hollowness: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Emptiness is more commonly used than hollowness in everyday language. Emptiness is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while hollowness is less common and often carries a negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between emptiness and hollowness?
Both emptiness and hollowness are neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
