Definition of the word hollow

Pronunciation of vocabulary hollow

hollowadjective

rỗng, trống rỗng

/ˈhɒləʊ/

Definition of the word <b>hollow</b>

Origin of the word hollow

The word "hollow" has a fascinating history. It originated in Old English as "hol," which means "cavity" or "hole." This word is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "khulado," which is also related to the Modern German word "hohl." Over time, the spelling changed to "hollow," and its meaning expanded to include not only physical cavities but also a sense of being empty or lacking substance. In English, the word "hollow" has been used since the 9th century to describe both physical spaces, such as caves or valleys, and metaphorical emptiness, like a hollow sound or a hollow smile. Today, "hollow" has many uses, including referring to a type of drum or a sense of being empty or superficial.

Vocabulary summary hollow

typeadjective

meaninghollow

exampleto beat somebody hollow: to completely defeat someone; to beat someone to a pulp

meaningempty, hungry (stomach)

meaningsunken

examplehollow cheeks

typeadverb

meaningcompletely

exampleto beat somebody hollow: to completely defeat someone; to beat someone to a pulp

Example of vocabulary hollownamespace

meaning

having a hole or empty space inside

có một lỗ hoặc không gian trống bên trong

  • a hollow ball/centre/tube/tree

    một quả bóng/trung tâm/ống/cây rỗng

  • a hollow metal cylinder

    một xi lanh kim loại rỗng

  • The tree trunk was hollow inside.

    Thân cây rỗng bên trong.

  • Her stomach felt hollow with fear.

    Bụng cô trống rỗng vì sợ hãi.

Extra examples:
  • I felt hollow from lack of food.

    Tôi cảm thấy trống rỗng vì thiếu thức ăn.

  • The experience left her feeling hollow and empty.

    Trải nghiệm này khiến cô cảm thấy trống rỗng và trống rỗng.

  • I tapped the tin and it sounded hollow.

    Tôi gõ nhẹ vào hộp thiếc và nó nghe có vẻ trống rỗng.

meaning

sinking deeply into the face

chìm sâu vào mặt

  • hollow eyes/cheeks

    mắt/má hõm

  • hollow-eyed from lack of sleep

    trố mắt vì thiếu ngủ

meaning

making a low sound like that made by an empty object when it is hit

tạo ra âm thanh trầm giống như âm thanh do một vật trống tạo ra khi nó bị va đập

  • a hollow groan

    một tiếng rên rỉ trống rỗng

meaning

not sincere

Không thật thà

  • I've had enough of their hollow promises.

    Tôi đã chán ngấy những lời hứa suông của họ rồi.

  • She gave a slightly hollow laugh.

    Cô ấy nở một nụ cười hơi trống rỗng.

  • Their appeals for an end to the violence had a hollow ring.

    Lời kêu gọi chấm dứt bạo lực của họ không có tác dụng gì.

meaning

without real value

không có giá trị thực

  • He won something of a hollow victory when his opponent was forced to withdraw with a serious injury.

    Anh ta đã giành được một chiến thắng trống rỗng khi đối thủ buộc phải rút lui vì chấn thương nặng.

Words, synonyms, related vocabulary hollow

Idioms of vocabulary hollow

ring hollow/false
to give the impression of not being sincere or true
  • His expressions of support rang rather hollow.
  • His promise rang hollow.
    • ring true/hollow/false
    to give the impression of being sincere/true or not sincere/true
  • It may seem a strange story but it rings true to me.
  • His expressions of support rang rather hollow.
  • His promise rang hollow.

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