empty look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "empty look" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a facial expression that shows no emotion or thought, often indicating confusion, shock, or a lack of understanding. Example: "When she heard the news, she just stared at me with an empty look, as if she couldn't process what I was saying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The apartment had an empty look.

The New Yorker

The Independent criticized the stage's "meager, empty look".

The New York Times

Hamza had an empty look in his eyes, and he kept pointing at his face.

The New Yorker

The odd thing about the community is it usually has an empty look, as if everybody had locked up and gone off somewhere.

The New Yorker

The veteran reserve Darryl Hamilton sat alone in a corner by the trainer's room, sighing, an empty look on his 35-year-old face.

The New York Times - Sports

There was a bright but empty look in her eyes that said ecstasy to me, and I could smell weed from inside.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

After his splendid efforts earlier today, an empty looking Pierre Rolland crosses the line 6min 40sec after Rui Costa.

The Guardian - Sport

New England's impressive depth at wide receiver is almost pure luxury, given that even in the frequent 3×2 empty looks, this offense generally prefers to keep a running back on the field.

The New York Times

Her small, smart terraced house in Dagenham sits empty, looking neglected with a For Sale sign on the front garden where her grandchildren used to play.

BBC

Taking them away means I'm often left feeling empty, looking for something, or someone, else to fill those empty places inside me.

Huffington Post

Chlamydia infected McCoy cells were constantly monitored using inverted light microscopy during the time course of 192 h p.i., which revealed formation of multiple small non-fusogenic or single "empty" looking giant inclusions (Fig 11).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's emotional state, consider using "empty look" to convey a sense of detachment, shock, or confusion. It's particularly effective when contrasting with a previously expressive demeanor.

Common error

Avoid using "empty look" to imply stupidity or lack of intelligence. The phrase primarily describes a temporary emotional state or a difficulty in processing information, not inherent cognitive abilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty look" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "empty" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "look". According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and can describe a state of emotional detachment or confusion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "empty look" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for describing a facial expression devoid of emotion or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase effectively conveys feelings of shock, confusion, or detachment. While versatile, it's important to avoid using it to imply a lack of intelligence. Consider alternatives like "vacant stare" or "blank expression" for nuanced descriptions. When employing this phrase, consider the context to accurately portray the subject's emotional state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vacant stare

Replaces "look" with "stare", emphasizing a prolonged, unfocused gaze.

blank expression

Substitutes "empty look" with a more general term for a face devoid of emotion.

expressionless face

Uses a compound adjective to describe a face lacking expression.

hollow gaze

Replaces "look" with "gaze", suggesting a deeper sense of emptiness or sadness.

vacuous expression

Uses "vacuous" to describe the expression, highlighting a lack of intelligence or meaning.

glassy-eyed

Describes the eyes as being like glass, lacking focus or emotion.

lifeless eyes

Focuses on the eyes, describing them as devoid of life or vitality.

unresponsive face

Emphasizes the lack of reaction or emotion in the face.

drained expression

Suggests that the expression is depleted of energy or emotion.

absent look

Implies that the person's mind is not present or engaged.

FAQs

How can I use "empty look" in a sentence?

You can use "empty look" to describe someone's facial expression when they are shocked, confused, or emotionally detached. For instance, "After hearing the news, she stared ahead with an "empty look"."

What are some alternatives to "empty look"?

Alternatives include "vacant stare", "blank expression", or "hollow gaze" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "empty look" formal or informal?

"Empty look" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of your writing.

What does it mean when someone has an "empty look" in their eyes?

An "empty look" in someone's eyes suggests a lack of emotion, comprehension, or engagement with their surroundings. It might indicate shock, confusion, sadness, or a sense of detachment from reality.