Vacuous
hardNegative toneVAK-yoo-us
adjective
Definition
empty of meaning, intelligence, or substance
Memory hook
VACUOUS: like a VACUUM — totally empty inside, no thought, no substance, just hollow air.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“The interview yielded nothing but vacuous platitudes about working hard.”
“She wore a vacuous smile that suggested she had not heard a word.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The interview yielded nothing but ______ platitudes about working hard.”
Show answer
vacuous
Categories
GRE Tip
Vacuous is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "inane" or "empty" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "profound".
Related GRE Words
fatuous
smugly foolish; silly and complacent
vapid
dull, flat, and lacking liveliness or interest
subtle
delicately complex, faint, or not obvious
delineate
to describe or portray precisely; to outline in detail
desiccate
to dry out completely; to drain of vitality
insipid
Lacking flavor, zest, or interest; dull and unengaging
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