blank

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   With no writing, marks, or pictures on it; empty.

   She handed me a blank sheet of paper.

2. 2
   adj

   Showing no expression or feeling on the face.

   He gave me a blank stare when I asked the question.

3. 3
   adj

   (of a gun cartridge) Containing no bullet.

   The actor's gun was loaded with blank cartridges.

Common collocations

• blank paper Adjective + noun
• blank face Adjective + noun

From Middle English blank, blonc, blaunc, blaunche, from Anglo-Norman blonc, blaunc, blaunche, from Old French blanc, feminine blanche, from Frankish *blank (“gleaming, white, blinding”), from Proto-Germanic *blankaz (“white, bright, blinding”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰleyǵ- (“to shine”). Akin to Old High German blanch (“shining, bright, white”) (German blank), Old English blanc (“white, grey”), blanca (“white steed”), Spanish blanco. More at blink, blind, blanch. Doublet of blanc.

Topics