Apedia

Hollow Sth Hole  Word Origin Noun Verb  Example

Front hollow
Back  hol•low
adjective, noun, verb
BrE /ˈhɒləʊ/
NAmE /ˈhɑːloʊ/
adjective
 word origin
 example bank
1 having a hole or empty space inside

a hollow ball/centre/tube
The tree trunk was hollow inside.
Her stomach felt hollow with fear.
2 (of parts of the face) sinking deeply into the face

hollow eyes/cheeks
hollow-eyed from lack of sleep
3 [usually before noun] (of sounds) making a low sound like that made by an empty object when it is hit

a hollow groan
4 [usually before noun] not sincere

hollow promises/threats
a hollow laugh
Their appeals for an end to the violence had a hollow ring.
5 [usually before noun] without real value

to win a hollow victory
see ring true/hollow/false at ring2 v.
hol•low•ly
/BrE ˈhɒləʊli; NAmE ˈhɑːloʊli/ adverb
to laugh hollowly
hol•low•ness
/BrE ˈhɒləʊnəs; NAmE ˈhɑːloʊnəs/ noun [uncountable]
the hollowness of the victory
noun
 word origin
 example bank
1 an area that is lower than the surface around it, especially on the ground

muddy hollows
The wheelbarrow got stuck in a hollow.
The village lay secluded in a hollow of the hills (= a small valley).
She noticed the slight hollows under his cheekbones.
2 a hole or a confined space in sth

The squirrel disappeared into a hollow at the base of the tree.
verb
 verb forms
 word origin
[usually passive] ~ sth
to make a flat surface curve in

The stairs have been hollowed by centuries of use.

ˌhollow sthˈout
1 to make a hole in sth by removing part of it

Hollow out the cake and fill it with cream.
a gun concealed in a hollowed-out book
2 to form sth by making a hole in sth else

The cave has been hollowed out of the mountainside.

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