“Empty” vs. “Vacant”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “empty” and “vacant”

  • "Empty" refers to the absence of objects or people, while "vacant" typically refers to the absence of people, objects, or occupations in designated spots.
  • "Empty" means without any contents, while "vacant" usually means without occupants.
  • "Empty" and "vacant" can both be used figuratively; "empty" can be used to make lacking meaning or sincerity, while "vacant" can mean having or showing no interest or intelligence.
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What is the definition of “empty” and “vacant”?

Empty
  • The term "empty" refers to a space that has no contents or objects.
  • It suggests that the space can contain something but is currently devoid of any contents.
  • This could refer to a room, container, or any physical space that is intended to hold or contain something.
Vacant
  • The term "vacant" describes a space that is unoccupied or unused.
  • It implies that the space is available or up for grabs.
  • This could refer to a house, apartment, or job position that is currently unoccupied.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Empty” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Empty
1,110,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The refrigerator is empty. We need to go to the grocery store.
  2. I filled the empty bottle at the water fountain by the restroom.
  3. The streets were oddly empty this morning.
Vacant
129,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The job posting said the position was still vacant.
  2. The vacant land was perfect for building a new playground.
  3. They were thrilled to find a vacant spot in the crowded parking lot.
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