WordGarden.iovacant
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /vˈeɪkənt/
US
- /ˈveɪkənt/
Meanings
Adjective
not occupied, filled, or currently in use
open and unfilled as a job, office, or position
showing no sign of thought, attention, or feeling
Beyond the definition
Imagine walking down an old street and seeing a house with dusty windows and no lights on. That house is likely vacant. It means empty, not being used, or not filled. A vacant lot is an empty piece of land waiting for something to be built. But "vacant" is not just about places. You might describe someone's expression as "vacant" if they seem absent, unfocused, or not really paying attention.
Think of a vacant stare, an empty room, or a job position that has not been filled yet. It suggests that something expected is missing: people, activity, or attention. A sign for a hotel might show that rooms are vacant, meaning they are available for guests.
The word "vacant" describes something that is empty, unoccupied, or not being used. We often use it for physical spaces, such as a vacant house, office, seat, room, lot, or parking space. In these cases, it suggests that no person or activity is there at the moment.
A vacant lot is an empty piece of land. A vacant apartment or hotel room is available because no one is staying there. A vacant position at a company means no one currently holds that job, so there is an opening for a new hire. In all of these uses, the idea is simple: a space, place, or role is open because it has not been filled.
However, "vacant" can also describe a person's face or expression. A vacant expression is blank or unfocused, and it may suggest that someone is not paying attention, is in shock, or is mentally far away for a moment. You might say, "He gave me a vacant stare," to show that his face looked empty of reaction or clear thought.
The word comes from the Latin vacare, meaning "to be empty." So whether it describes a room, a job, a seat, or a person's expression, "vacant" usually points to the same core idea: something is empty, open, or lacking the presence that you would normally expect.
Examples
- 1
Seating
Is this seat vacant?
- 2
Housing
The apartment next door has been vacant for months.
- 3
Empty land
The city plans to build a park on the vacant lot near the station.
- 4
Job opening
The company is still trying to fill a vacant position in its sales team.
- Phrasefill a vacant position
give the job to a new person
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Facial expression
She looked at me with a vacant expression, as if she hadn't heard a word I said.
- Phrasea vacant expression
a look showing no attention or thought
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- vacant room
- vacant lot
- vacant seat
- position is vacant
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- vacantadjective