Is 'blank' only used for physical spaces?

No, it's also used metaphorically for mental states (blank mind), expressions (blank stare), and permissions (blank cheque).

What's the difference between 'blank' and 'empty'?

'Empty' is broader (empty room, empty promise). 'Blank' specifically implies something designed to be filled (blank form) or lacking expected features/marks (blank face, blank wall).

Can 'blank' be a verb?

Yes, meaning to obscure/delete information ('blank out details'), ignore someone ('he blanked me'), or make a screen empty ('blank the monitor').

What does 'draw a blank' mean?

It means to fail to get an answer or result, especially after a search or attempt to remember something.

blank

UK/blæŋk/US/blæŋk/

Neutral; formal in technical contexts, informal in casual speech.

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A space left empty to be filled in; a void or empty surface.

Refers to emptiness, lack of features/information, or a state of being expressionless (blank mind/stare).

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Can denote a literal empty space on paper, an absence of expression, or a metaphorical void (e.g., memory blank).

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Minor differences in collocational frequency and specific idioms.

Connotations

Neutral in both, but BrE slightly more formal in contexts like 'blank cheque' vs. 'blank check' (AmE spelling).

Frequency

Slightly more common in AmE in phrases like 'blank stare' (though used in BrE).

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

blank chequeblank lookblank pageblank expressionblank screenblank sheet

medium

fill in the blankdraw a blankblank stareblank cartridgeblank wallblank mind

weak

blank spaceblank tapeblank verseblank refusalblank silenceblank void

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[blank] + noun (blank page)[verb] + blank (draw a blank)go blankleave blankstare blankly

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

unmarkedfeatureless

Neutral

emptyvoidclear

Weak

vacantbareunfilled

Vocabulary

Antonyms

filleddetailedexpressivemarkedcomplete

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“draw a blank”
“go blank”
“a blank cheque”
“point-blank”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Used for unfilled forms, authorizations (blank cheque), or absence of data.

Academic

Refers to control conditions in experiments (blank sample), empty spaces, or lack of response.

Everyday

Common for describing expressionless faces or forgotten information ('My mind went blank').

Technical

In computing (blank screen), manufacturing (blank cartridge), or printing (blank page).

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

Please blank out that confidential information before sharing.
He blanked the screen to save power.
She completely blanked me at the party.

American English

The form blanks the box if no answer is given.
He blanked the old data from the drive.
She blanked on his name during the introduction.

adverb

British English

N/A – 'blank' is not used as a standard adverb; 'blankly' is used.
He stared blankly out of the window.
She answered blankly, without emotion.

American English

N/A – use 'blankly'.
He looked blankly at the instructions.
She smiled blankly, not comprehending.

adjective

British English

Give me a blank sheet of A4 paper.
He had a blank expression during the meeting.
The questionnaire had several blank lines.

American English

She handed me a blank check for the supplies.
His face went blank when he heard the news.
Make sure no fields are left blank.

Examples

By CEFR Level

Write your name on the blank line.
I need a blank piece of paper to draw.
The screen was blank.

His mind went blank during the exam.
Please don't leave any questions blank.
She gave me a blank look.

The contract gave him a blank cheque to manage the budget.
The witness's memory was a complete blank.
He stared blankly into space.

The artist saw the blank canvas as a world of possibilities.
The politician's response was a masterclass in blank evasion.
The experiment included a blank sample to control for contamination.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a BLANK page needing INK – the 'BL' and 'INK' sounds are in the word.

Conceptual Metaphor

ABSENCE IS EMPTINESS (e.g., blank mind as empty container); IGNORANCE IS A BLANK SLATE.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Не путать с 'белый' (white) – 'blank' означает 'пустой' для заполнения.
В русском 'бланк' – заимствование, но означает конкретно 'формуляр', а не абстрактную пустоту.

Common Mistakes

Using 'blank' for 'white' (e.g., 'blank wall' vs. 'white wall').
Confusing 'blank' (adj/noun) with 'empty' (adj only).
Omitting article in 'draw a blank'.
Using 'blank' instead of 'clear' in IT contexts (e.g., 'clear screen' vs. 'blank screen').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

After the shock, her mind was a complete and she couldn't recall her own address.

Multiple Choice

In which phrase does 'blank' NOT mean 'empty'?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, it's also used metaphorically for mental states (blank mind), expressions (blank stare), and permissions (blank cheque).
: 'Empty' is broader (empty room, empty promise). 'Blank' specifically implies something designed to be filled (blank form) or lacking expected features/marks (blank face, blank wall).
: Yes, meaning to obscure/delete information ('blank out details'), ignore someone ('he blanked me'), or make a screen empty ('blank the monitor').
: It means to fail to get an answer or result, especially after a search or attempt to remember something.

Explore

Related Words

dull hollow