What Does “Vacuous” Mean? How to Use It in a Sentence?

The human brain plays a significant role in all bodily functions – speaking, listening, watching, etc. When the brain is not working optimally or is devoid of thoughts or common sense, it shows on the person’s face or in the things they do. In other words, their “vacuous” speech, expressions, actions, etc., become tell-tale signs.

The term “vacuous” denotes anything that lacks a valid point. The adjective helps describe the vacuum or hollowness showing in a person’s thoughts, actions, etc. It assumes the same connotation when referring to things or creations. A film made senselessly, for instance, can be described as “vacuous”.

The adjective “vacuous” may take up slightly different meanings based on the sentence it’s used in or the things it describes. Keep reading to learn more about the word’s meaning and origin, how to incorporate the term into texts (with example sentences), and a host of other information.

“Vacuous” – Meaning

The term “vacuous” means “containing nothing”. It’s an adjective used to refer to “a lack of intelligence or thought”. When generally used, it means “empty”. The exact meaning it assumes will vary or depend on the thing it describes.

An individual is considered “vacuous” if they have nothing concrete or intelligent to offer in terms of ideas. People who are perennially idle or have no occupation or a serious purpose in life can also be described as “vacuous”. An individual can also be referred to as “vacuous” if they give a blank stare, are devoid of expression, or are generally non-communicative.

“Asinine“, “fatuous”, “stupid”, “inane”, “bare”, “deadpan”, etc., are terms that could be used interchangeably with “vacuous” in texts. They also help understand how “vacuous” changes its meaning ever so slightly based on the sentence the word gets used in.

For instance, “stupid” and “deadpan” do not necessarily mean the same thing, but they can both mean “vacuous” if the context sets the stage.

The adverb and noun forms of the word are “vacuously” and “vacuousness”, respectively. There is no verb version of the word.

The Origin of the Term

The term “vacuous” is supposedly derived from the Latin term “vacuus”, which means “empty”. Unsurprisingly, the word “vacuum” is also rooted in “vacuus”. The noun “vacuity” is also derived from the same Latin word.

And most terms that begin with “vac-” or mean “empty” are related to “vacuus” in some way or the other, including “vacant”, “evacuate”, “vacancy”, and “vacation”. These terms denote “emptiness of space”, or “fleeing of things or people from a place to another”.

“Vacuous” was first used in English during the 17th century. The word then described a thing as “empty”, literally. The figurative usage/meaning, which is “lacking mind or mental substance”, was taken up only during the mid-1800s.

Using “Vacuous” in Texts

“Vacuous” can be used in texts with relation to people, their thoughts, etc. When referring to the mind or mental state of an individual, it means “absent-minded”, “empty”, “dull-witted”, “brainless”, etc. For example:

• They were an elite coterie of vacuous beauties.

When describing an individual’s facial expression, the term could mean “poker-faced”, “inexpressive”, “lifeless”, “inanimate”, “emotionless”, “stony”, and so on. For example:

• She had nothing but a vacuous expression to show in response to what happened.
• She still wore her vacuous merriment expression, which looks like it’s habitual instead of assumed.

If a person smiles or looks at you with no real intent, the grin or gaze can be described as “vacuous”. A “vacuous” comment, on the other hand, can be a politician making fake promises or not knowing what they are saying or how they will execute their plans. For example:

• Her inaugural speech was vacuous and indicated no actual preparation.
• The reasoning offered by the leader was considered almost vacuous by the opposition.
• With such double standards, their claiming to take up an ethical and moral stand is vacuous.

Kindly note, referring to someone’s thoughts or expressions as “vacuous” is not an innocuous comment, and it could end up offending the concerned. “Vacuous” is a more sophisticated, polished way to call someone “dumb”.

As mentioned before, “vacuous” can also describe things, events, programs, etc. Here are a few sentences illustrating that:

• Reality television and celebrity gossip shows are typically quite vacuous, despite the fun element that spike the ratings.
• The show was dull and vacuous, which is why the second season got canceled unceremoniously.

As mentioned above, “vacuous” can also be written as “vacuousness”, “vacuously”, etc. Here are a few example sentences with the word’s variants:

• Her face’s vacuousness belied her feelings.
• A multiculturalist’s sensitivity is not a moral refinement index but representative of a moral vacuousness.
• The automation’s initial state is an empty set or vacuously conflict-free.
• The conditions were vacuously satisfied.
• She was smiling vacuously for the picture.

As stated earlier, “vacuous” means “empty”, but figuratively.

Initially, the term denoted “emptiness” in the literal or physical sense. Such usage of the word, however, is now considered archaic (but not necessarily incorrect). Here are a couple of sentences that use “vacuous” in the “old-fashioned” way:

• On the third floor, she stepped into the vacuous office space.
• After a minute of complete silence, the vacuous street was thronged by angry protestors and a few police vehicles blowing away their sirens.
• The apartment was utterly vacuous.

Synonyms or alternate terms for the word “vacuousness” include “barrenness”, “emptiness”, “blankness”, “hollowness”, etc.

The adjective is commonly used to describe specific things or is usually paired with certain nouns – as in “vacuous gaze”, “vacuous mind”, “vacuous terms”, “vacuous space”, “vacuous comments”, “vacuous slogan”, “vacuous campaigns”, “vacuous comparisons”, etc.

Here are a few sentences incorporating these oft-used phrases:

• It transformed her face, filling her usually vacuous gaze with a sense of awareness and intelligence.
• Belief and unbelief, which are supposedly critical to modern existence and intellectual posturing, are innocuous, vacuous terms.
• We must argue about how things are and not be hellbent on winning arguments or debates with vacuous comparisons that induce revulsion with zero thought.
• She was a young, concerned, law-abiding citizen who was not happy with the vacuous campaigns the candidates of both parties were running.

In logic and mathematics, the term “vacuous truth” denotes a universal or conditional statement that’s true only because the antecedent could not be satisfied. In formal verification processes, the term “vacuous proof” denotes a red flag and requires immediate attention.

Difference Between “Vacuous” and “Vapid”

Though closely related, “vacuous” and “vapid” are not synonyms. “Vapid” means “flavorless”, “flat”, “weak”, “bland”, etc. – neither of them are exact descriptions of “vacuous”. However, some writers tend to confuse the two terms and use them interchangeably, which is not correct.

In other words, a boring speech could be “vapid” even if it’s filled with information. On the other hand, a lively address will be considered “vacuous” if it doesn’t offer anything valuable or is devoid of any real content.

Also, people as a whole can be described as “vapid”. They cannot be labelled as “vacuous”, but. In other words, a person cannot be “vacuous”, but their ideas, speech, feelings, etc., could be labeled as so.

The fact that two words are distinct is proven by sentences that use both the terms simultaneously. For example:

• The performance was vacuous and vapid.
• Those vacuous remarks did not have any effect on the vapid showing.

Also, “vacuous” and “vacuole” are two completely different terms. The term “vacuole” denotes a vesicle or spasm within a cell’s cytoplasm, containing fluid and covered by a membrane. “Vacuolate” is the plural form of “vacuole”.

Example Sentences with the Term “Vacuous”

The following are sentences that use the adjective “vacuous” correctly:

• There is zero substance to his vacuous property claim.
• During the election season, most contesting politicians can be seen giving vacuous speeches.
• Having never been on the cruise ship before, her remarks about sea safety were vacuous and deplorable.
• The celebrity host is notorious for passing around vacuous comments about the stars and the industry in general.
• Every time he consumed alcohol, his mind would become vacuous, as if he had no memories.
• Not very keen on the after-party, vacuous chatter, she chose to leave as soon as the party was officially done.
• Despite the raving reviews, the documentary has no meat to it. It is vacuous.
• She had a vacuous look on her face.
• Though excellent on paper, the vacuous and insipid execution ensured the idea did not realize its potential.
• The walls were crowded with truly vacuous paintings.
• A vacuous day immediately followed the sleepless night.
• It was not meant to be vacuous.
• Like tradition, each line he spoke during the meeting was simply vacuous rubbish.
• The current music scene is vacuous. It doesn’t have the talent and passion that artists only from a couple of decades ago showcased.
• The tall and sporty athlete could be seen wearing a vacuous expression almost every time he set foot on the court.
• The visit to the museum was emotionally fulfilling but vacuous intellectually.
• Vacuous, irrepressible verbalism continues to constitute his identity.
• The show was described by the fans and critics alike as “stupendously vacuous“.
• The animal’s peculiarly vacuous expression is something only bulls and cows can interpret.
• The work is dramatically inept, morally glib, and intellectually vacuous.

Conclusion

To conclude, “vacuous” is a relatively versatile term that assumes different meanings in different contexts and a few alternate forms. The above example sentences, illustrations of how the word gets employed in varied writing scenarios, etc., should hopefully help both seasoned and amateur writers understand its meaning and literary use.