What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nothingness
Example
The universe is vast, and there are many places where there is nothingness. [nothingness: noun]
Example
After her husband's death, she felt a sense of nothingness that was hard to shake off. [nothingness: noun]
emptiness
Example
The room had an eerie emptiness to it, with no furniture or decorations. [emptiness: noun]
Example
She felt a deep sense of emptiness after her breakup, like something important was missing. [emptiness: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Emptiness is more commonly used than nothingness in everyday language. Emptiness is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while nothingness is less common and more associated with philosophical or spiritual concepts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nothingness and emptiness?
Both nothingness and emptiness can be used in formal or informal contexts, but nothingness may be more associated with academic or intellectual discourse.
