What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vacuo
Example
The vacuo inside the bottle made it easy to crush. [vacuo: noun]
Example
The room felt vacuo after all the furniture was removed. [vacuo: adjective]
emptiness
Example
The emptiness of the box made it clear that it was missing something. [emptiness: noun]
Example
She felt an overwhelming sense of emptiness after her breakup. [emptiness: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Emptiness is more commonly used than vacuo in everyday language. Emptiness is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while vacuo is less common and refers to a more technical or specialized meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vacuo and emptiness?
Both vacuo and emptiness can be used in formal or informal contexts, but vacuo may be more appropriate in technical or scientific writing, while emptiness may be more appropriate in emotional or philosophical writing.