void

1 of 3

adjective

ˈvȯid 

1

a

: of no legal force or effect : null

a void contract

b

: voidable

2

: containing nothing

void space

3

a

: not occupied : vacant

a void bishopric

b

: not inhabited : deserted

4

: idle, leisure

5

a

: being without something specified : devoid

a nature void of all malice

b

: having no members or examples

specifically, of a suit : having no cards represented in a particular hand

6

: vain, useless

voidness noun

void

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: opening, gap

b

: empty space : emptiness, vacuum

2

: the quality or state of being without something : lack, absence

3

: a feeling of want or hollowness

4

: absence of cards of a particular suit in a hand originally dealt to a player

void

3 of 3

verb

voided; voiding; voids

transitive verb

1

: nullify, annul

2

a

: to make empty or vacant : clear

b

archaic : vacate, leave

3

: discharge, emit

intransitive verb

: to eliminate solid or liquid waste from the body

voider noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• bad
• inoperative
• invalid
• nonbinding
• nonvalid
• nugatory
• null
• null and void

Noun

• gap
• hiatus
• hole
• lacuna
• space

Verb

• abate
• abolish
• abrogate
• annul
• avoid
• cancel
• disannul
• dissolve
• invalidate
• negate
• null
• nullify
• quash
• repeal
• rescind
• roll back
• strike down
• vacate

Choose the Right Synonym for void

empty, vacant, blank, void, vacuous mean lacking contents which could or should be present.

empty suggests a complete absence of contents.

an empty bucket

vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants.

a vacant apartment

blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface.

a blank wall

void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine.

a statement void of meaning

vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance.

a vacuous facial expression

Examples of void in a Sentence

Adjective

This sales offer is void where prohibited by law.

an agreement is void if obtained by force

Noun

the great voids between galaxies

a repressed memory that left a huge void in her recollection of her adolescent years

Verb

The judge voided the contract.

Any unauthorized repairs will void the warranty.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The scripture says that His Word won’t return void. —Kyle Denis, Billboard, 9 Dec. 2024

The building’s distinctive void houses the Desert Garden, where guests can enjoy light bites surrounded by desert flora. —Joe Niehaus, Travel + Leisure, 9 Dec. 2024

Noun

Cyclo aims to fill the category’s void for alternative ingredients that are both economically and environmentally sustainable for mass adoption. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 10 Dec. 2024

Decreasing Admissions Rates at Second Tier Schools As the Ivy League has entered a transitional phase in the last few admissions cycles amidst wide-ranging criticism, prestigious second-tier institutions have risen in popularity, filling a void caused by the plummeting Ivy League acceptance rates. —Christopher Rim, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Verb

While the former is an unrestricted free agent, the latter would be retained by the Yankees if the team voids his opt-out by giving him an extension that would pay $36 million in 2025. —Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

Executive clemency can be a pardon, which voids a person’s federal criminal conviction, or commutation, which terminates any prison or jail sentence. —Dan Mangan, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English voyde, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *vocitus, alteration of Latin vocivus, vacivus empty, from vacare to be empty

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French voider (Old French of Île-de-France vuider) Vulgar Latin *vocitare, from *vocitus

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Noun

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a

Phrases Containing void

• null and void
• void of

Kids Definition

void

1 of 3 adjective

ˈvȯid 

1

: containing nothing : empty

void space

2

: being without something specified : devoid

a person void of common sense

3

: of no legal force or effect

a void contract

void

2 of 3 noun

1

: empty space

2

: a feeling of want or hollowness

void

3 of 3 verb

: to make void

void a contract

Medical Definition

void

transitive verb

ˈvȯid 

: to discharge or emit

void urine

intransitive verb

: to eliminate solid or liquid waste from the body

frequent voiding

Legal Definition

void

1 of 2 adjective

ˈvȯid 

1

: of no force or effect under law

a void marriage

2

: voidable

voidness noun

void

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to make or declare void

void a contract