Empty vs. Full — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 30, 2023
Empty means containing nothing; full means containing as much or as many as possible.
Difference Between Empty and Full
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Empty refers to a space or container that holds nothing within it, while full implies that the space or container is holding as much as it can. If a glass has no water, it is empty; if the glass can hold no more water without spilling, it is full.
When describing emotions or experiences, empty can convey a lack of fulfillment or meaning, whereas full may imply a rich, satisfying experience. A person may feel empty after a loss, but a concert hall full of music can provide a full, uplifting sensation.
In the context of quantity, empty denotes absence, and full denotes presence to capacity. An empty basket has nothing in it, but a full basket has no room for more items. The concept of empty and full is often used to describe capacity.
Usage in time-related contexts also differs; an empty schedule means free of appointments, while a full schedule means there are no available slots. An empty calendar provides a sense of freedom, while a full calendar can suggest busyness or productivity.
In digital technology, an empty file contains no data, but a full hard drive has no space left for more information. The term empty might suggest a need for input or content, while full might imply a need to organize or upgrade for additional space.
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Comparison Chart
Content
Contains nothing.
Contains as much as possible.
Implication
Absence or lack.
Abundance or maximum capacity.
Emotional Connotation
Often suggests a void or lack.
Suggests completeness or satisfaction.
Space Requirement
More space is available.
No additional space available.
Functional State
Ready to be filled.
No capacity for more content.
Compare with Definitions
Empty
To unburden; relieve
Empty oneself of doubt.
Full
Being at the peak of development or maturity
In full bloom.
Empty
Not occupied by an inhabitant or user.
The streets were empty after the concert ended.
Full
Complete in every particular.
She had a full understanding of the problem.
Empty
To remove all contents from a space.
She emptied the contents of her backpack onto the floor.
Full
Having eaten to one's limits or satisfaction.
After the meal, everyone felt pleasantly full.
Empty
Containing nothing; not filled or occupied
The room was empty of furniture
She put down her empty cup
Full
Involving a complete use or engagement of available resources.
The company was operating at full capacity.
Empty
(of words or a gesture) lacking meaning or sincerity
Their promises were empty words
Full
Containing or holding as much or as many as possible; having no empty space
Waste bins full of rubbish
The hotel is full up
She could only nod, for her mouth was full
Empty
Having no value or purpose
Her life felt empty and meaningless
Full
Not lacking or omitting anything; complete
A full range of sports facilities
Empty
Remove all the contents of (a container)
Pockets were emptied of loose change
We empty the till at closing time
Full
(of a person's figure or part of the body) plump or rounded
The fuller figure
She had full lips
Empty
A bottle or glass left empty of its contents
The barman collected the empties
Full
Straight; directly
She turned her head and looked full into his face
Empty
Having nothing inside or on the surface; holding or containing nothing
An empty bag.
An empty lot.
Full
Very
He knew full well she was too polite to barge in
Empty
(Mathematics) Having no elements or members; null
An empty set.
Full
The period, point, or state of the greatest fullness or strength.
Empty
Having no occupants; not being used
An empty chair.
Full
Make (something) full; fill up
He full up the house with bawling
Empty
Not having an incumbent or occupant; unfilled
An empty post at the embassy.
Full
Gather or pleat (fabric) so as to make a garment full
A straight piece fulled into a small band at the top
Empty
Not put to purposeful use; idle
Empty hours.
Full
(of the moon or tide) become full
Fulling moon aloft doth ride
Empty
Lacking force or power
An empty threat.
Full
Clean, shrink, and felt (cloth) by heat, pressure, and moisture
Weaving and fulling were all formerly part of the normal domestic scene
Empty
Lacking purpose or substance; meaningless
An empty life.
Full
Containing all that is normal or possible
A full pail.
Empty
Needing nourishment; hungry
"More fierce and more inexorable far / Than empty tigers or the roaring sea" (Shakespeare).
Full
Complete in every particular
A full account.
Empty
Devoid; destitute
Empty of pity.
Full
Amounting to three balls and two strikes. Used of a count.
Empty
To remove the contents of
Emptied the dishwasher.
Full
Having a base runner at first, second, and third base
The bases were full when the slugger stepped up to bat.
Empty
To transfer or pour off completely
Empty the ashes into a pail.
Full
Of maximum or highest degree
At full speed.
Empty
To become empty
The theater emptied after the performance.
Full
Of or relating to a full moon.
Empty
To discharge its contents
The river empties into a bay.
Full
Having a great deal or many
A book full of errors.
Empty
An empty container.
Full
Totally qualified, accepted, or empowered
A full member of the club.
Empty
Devoid of content; containing nothing or nobody; vacant.
An empty purse
An empty jug
An empty stomach
Full
Rounded in shape; plump
A full figure.
Empty
Containing no elements (as of a string, array, or set), opposed to being null (having no valid value).
Full
Having or made with a generous amount of fabric
Full draperies.
Empty
(obsolete) Free; clear; devoid; often with of.
Full
Having an appetite completely satisfied, especially for food or drink
Was full after the Thanksgiving dinner.
Empty
Having nothing to carry, emptyhanded; unburdened.
Full
Providing an abundance, especially of food.
Empty
Destitute of effect, sincerity, or sense; said of language.
Empty words, or threats
Empty offer
Empty promises
Full
Having depth and body; rich
A full aroma.
Full tones.
Empty
Unable to satisfy; hollow; vain.
Empty pleasures
Full
Completely absorbed or preoccupied
“He was already pretty full of himself” (Ron Rosenbaum).
Empty
Destitute of reality, or real existence; unsubstantial.
Empty dreams
Full
Possessing both parents in common
Full brothers.
Full sisters.
Empty
Destitute of, or lacking, sense, knowledge, or courtesy.
Empty brains
An empty coxcomb
Full
Of or relating to a full-size bed
Full sheets.
A full bed skirt.
Empty
(of some female animals, especially cows and sheep) Not pregnant; not producing offspring when expected to do so during the breeding season.
Empty cow rates have increased in recent years.
Full
Exactly; directly
Full in the path of the moon.
Empty
Producing nothing; unfruitful.
An empty vine
Full
To a complete extent; entirely. Sometimes used in combination
Knew full well.
Full blown.
Full-fledged.
Empty
To make empty; to void; to remove the contents of.
To empty a well or a cistern
The cinema emptied quickly after the end of the film.
Full
To make (a garment) full, as by pleating or gathering.
Empty
(intransitive) Of a river, duct, etc: to drain or flow toward an ultimate destination.
Salmon River empties on the W shore about 2 miles below Bear River.
Full
To become full. Used of the moon.
Empty
A container, especially a bottle, whose contents have been used up, leaving it empty.
Put the empties out to be recycled.
Full
To increase the density and usually the thickness of (cloth) by shrinking and beating or pressing.
Empty
Containing nothing; not holding or having anything within; void of contents or appropriate contents; not filled; - said of an inclosure, or a container, as a box, room, house, etc.; as, an empty chest, room, purse, or pitcher; an empty stomach; empty shackles.
Full
The maximum or complete size or amount
Repaid in full.
Empty
Free; clear; devoid; - often with of.
I shall find you empty of that fault.
Full
The highest degree or state
Living life to the full.
Empty
Having nothing to carry; unburdened.
When ye go ye shall not go empty.
Full
A full-size bed.
Empty
Destitute of effect, sincerity, or sense; - said of language; as, empty words, or threats.
Words are but empty thanks.
Full
Containing the maximum possible amount that can fit in the space available.
The jugs were full to the point of overflowing.
Empty
Unable to satisfy; unsatisfactory; hollow; vain; - said of pleasure, the world, etc.
Pleas'd in the silent shade with empty praise.
Full
Complete; with nothing omitted.
Our book gives full treatment to the subject of angling.
Empty
Producing nothing; unfruitful; - said of a plant or tree; as, an empty vine.
Seven empty ears blasted with the east wind.
Full
Total, entire.
She had tattoos the full length of her arms.
He was prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Empty
Destitute of, or lacking, sense, knowledge, or courtesy; as, empty brains; an empty coxcomb.
That in civility thou seem'st so empty.
Full
Completely empowered, authorized or qualified (in some role); not limited.
Full member
Full officer
Empty
Destitute of reality, or real existence; unsubstantial; as, empty dreams.
Full
(informal) Having eaten to satisfaction, having a "full" stomach; replete.
"I'm full," he said, pushing back from the table.
Empty
An empty box, crate, cask, etc.; - used in commerce, esp. in transportation of freight; as, "special rates for empties."
Full
Replete, abounding with.
This movie doesn't make sense; it's full of plot holes.
I prefer my pizzas full of toppings.
Empty
To deprive of the contents; to exhaust; to make void or destitute; to make vacant; to pour out; to discharge; as, to empty a vessel; to empty a well or a cistern.
The clouds . . . empty themselves upon the earth.
Full
(of physical features) Plump, round.
Full lips; a full face; a full figure
Empty
To discharge itself; as, a river empties into the ocean.
Full
(of the moon) Having its entire face illuminated.
Empty
To become empty.
Full
(of garments) Of a size that is ample, wide, or having ample folds or pleats to be comfortable.
A full pleated skirt;
She needed her full clothing during her pregnancy.
Empty
A container that has been emptied;
Return all empties to the store
Full
Having depth and body; rich.
A full singing voice
Empty
Make void or empty of contents;
Empty the box
The alarm emptied the building
Full
(obsolete) Having the mind filled with ideas; stocked with knowledge; stored with information.
Empty
Become empty or void of its content;
The room emptied
Full
Having the attention, thoughts, etc., absorbed in any matter, and the feelings more or less excited by it.
She's full of her latest project.
Empty
Leave behind empty; move out of;
You must vacate your office by tonight
Full
Filled with emotions.
Empty
Remove;
Empty the water
Full
(obsolete) Impregnated; made pregnant.
Empty
Excrete or discharge from the body
Full
Said of the three cards of the same rank in a full house.
Empty
Holding or containing nothing;
An empty glass
An empty room
Full of empty seats
Empty hours
Full
Drunk, intoxicated.
Empty
Devoid of significance or point;
Empty promises
A hollow victory
Vacuous comments
Full
(archaic) Fully; quite; very; thoroughly; completely; exactly; entirely.
Empty
Having nothing inside;
An empty sphere
Full
Utmost measure or extent; highest state or degree; the state, position, or moment of fullness; fill.
I was fed to the full.
Empty
Needing nourishment;
After skipped lunch the men were empty by suppertime
Empty-bellied children
Full
(of the moon) The phase of the moon when its entire face is illuminated, full moon.
Empty
Emptied of emotion;
After the violent argument he felt empty
Full
(freestyle skiing) An aerialist maneuver consisting of a backflip in conjunction and simultaneous with a complete twist.
Empty
Containing nothing.
The room was empty, with no furniture or decor.
Full
(of the moon) To become full or wholly illuminated.
Empty
Lacking meaning or sincerity.
Her apology felt empty and didn't comfort him.
Full
(transitive) To baptise.
Empty
A space devoid of content or data.
The document was completely empty, without even a title.
Full
To make cloth denser and firmer by soaking, beating and pressing; to waulk or walk.
Full
Filled up, having within its limits all that it can contain; supplied; not empty or vacant; - said primarily of hollow vessels, and hence of anything else; as, a cup full of water; a house full of people.
Had the throne been full, their meeting would not have been regular.
Full
Abundantly furnished or provided; sufficient in quantity, quality, or degree; copious; plenteous; ample; adequate; as, a full meal; a full supply; a full voice; a full compensation; a house full of furniture.
Full
Not wanting in any essential quality; complete; entire; perfect; adequate; as, a full narrative; a person of full age; a full stop; a full face; the full moon.
It came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaohdreamed.
The man commandsLike a full soldier.
I can notRequest a fuller satisfactionThan you have freely granted.
Full
Sated; surfeited.
I am full of the burnt offerings of rams.
Full
Having the mind filled with ideas; stocked with knowledge; stored with information.
Reading maketh a full man.
Full
Having the attention, thoughts, etc., absorbed in any matter, and the feelings more or less excited by it, as, to be full of some project.
Every one is full of the miracles done by cold baths on decayed and weak constitutions.
Full
Filled with emotions.
The heart is so full that a drop overfills it.
Full
Impregnated; made pregnant.
Ilia, the fair, . . . full of Mars.
Full
Complete measure; utmost extent; the highest state or degree.
The swan's-down feather,That stands upon the swell at full of tide.
Full
Quite; to the same degree; without abatement or diminution; with the whole force or effect; thoroughly; completely; exactly; entirely.
The pawn I proffer shall be full as good.
The diapason closing full in man.
Full in the center of the sacred wood.
Full
To become full or wholly illuminated; as, the moon fulls at midnight.
Full
To thicken by moistening, heating, and pressing, as cloth; to mill; to make compact; to scour, cleanse, and thicken in a mill.
Full
To become fulled or thickened; as, this material fulls well.
Full
Beat for the purpose of cleaning and thickening;
Full the cloth
Full
Make (a garment) fuller by pleating or gathering
Full
Increase in phase;
The moon is waxing
Full
Containing as much or as many as is possible or normal;
A full glass
A sky full of stars
A full life
The auditorium was full to overflowing
Full
Constituting the full quantity or extent; complete;
An entire town devastated by an earthquake
Gave full attention
A total failure
Full
Complete in extent or degree and in every particular;
A full game
A total eclipse
A total disaster
Full
Filled to satisfaction with food or drink;
A full stomach
Full
(of sound) having marked depth and body;
Full tones
A full voice
Full
Having the normally expected amount;
Gives full measure
Gives good measure
A good mile from here
Full
Being at a peak or culminating point;
Broad day
Full summer
High noon
Full
Not separated into parts or shares; constituting an undivided unit;
An undivided interest in the property
A full share
Full
Having ample fabric;
The current taste for wide trousers
A full skirt
Full
To the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (`full' in this sense is used as a combining form);
Fully grown
He didn't fully understand
Knew full well
Full-grown
Full-fledged
Full
Containing as much or as many as is possible or normal.
His full plate of food was still untouched.
Full
Having a lot of detail or complexity.
The full report included every aspect of the project.
Common Curiosities
Can a person feel both empty and full emotionally?
Yes, it's possible to feel emotionally empty or lacking, and also full or complete, depending on the context and personal experiences.
Is it possible for a space to be both empty and full?
Literally, no; a space can’t be both without content (empty) and filled to capacity (full) at the same time.
What does 'full of life' mean?
'Full of life' means vibrant, energetic, or lively.
What does an empty threat mean?
An empty threat is a warning that carries no real intention of being carried out.
What is the difference between a full heart and an empty heart?
A full heart often refers to feelings of love or contentment, while an empty heart may denote loneliness or sadness.
How does one describe an empty argument?
An empty argument is one that lacks substance or relevance.
Is an empty set the same as a full set?
No, an empty set has no elements, while a full set in a certain context would have all possible elements.
What's the difference between a full moon and an empty sky?
A full moon is when the moon is fully illuminated, while an empty sky would have no visible celestial objects.
What does it mean if a container is empty?
If a container is empty, it contains nothing inside.
What is meant by 'empty words'?
'Empty words' are words that lack meaning or power to convince, or are insincere.
Can a room be full of empty boxes?
Yes, a room can be full of empty boxes, meaning the boxes themselves contain nothing but occupy the space.
Can a battery be empty and full?
No, a battery can either be fully charged (full) or depleted of charge (empty).
What does 'full disclosure' mean?
'Full disclosure' means providing all the information without withholding any details.
Does 'empty-headed' mean someone is unintelligent?
Yes, 'empty-headed' is a colloquial term for someone lacking intelligence or good sense.
How can a schedule be both full and empty?
It can't; a full schedule has no free time, while an empty schedule has only free time.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
