blank
Describes a surface that has no writing, images, or marks on it, or a state of mind where one cannot remember or think of anything. It is frequently used to describe paper, screens, or facial expressions that lack emotion or understanding.
Examples
3 of 5I reached into my bag for a blank piece of paper to take notes.
I reached into my bag for an unmarked piece of paper to take notes.
The applicant was instructed to leave the final section of the form blank.
The applicant was told to leave the last part of the form empty.
I totally went blank during the test and forgot everything I studied.
I completely forgot everything during the test and couldn't think.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'blanket' of snow covering everything—it makes the whole ground look like one big, unmarked, blank surface.
Quick Quiz
When the interviewer asked about my previous experience, my mind suddenly went ___.
Correct!
The correct answer is: blank
Examples
I reached into my bag for a blank piece of paper to take notes.
everydayI reached into my bag for an unmarked piece of paper to take notes.
The applicant was instructed to leave the final section of the form blank.
formalThe applicant was told to leave the last part of the form empty.
I totally went blank during the test and forgot everything I studied.
informalI completely forgot everything during the test and couldn't think.
The control group produced a blank result, indicating no reaction to the stimuli.
academicThe control group showed a null result, showing no reaction.
The CEO met the proposal with a blank stare, making it hard to judge her reaction.
businessThe CEO looked at the proposal with an expressionless face.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
draw a blank
to fail to get an answer or a result
a blank slate
starting fresh without any previous influence
point-blank
from a very close range or in a very direct way
Often Confused With
Blank refers to surfaces that lack marks/content, while empty refers to containers or spaces that lack physical objects.
Blank refers to the state of being unmarked, whereas white is a specific color; a blank page is often white, but not necessarily.
Usage Notes
Use 'blank' when referring to the absence of information on a medium (paper, screen) or the sudden inability to remember information. It is also common in psychological contexts to describe a face without emotion.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'empty' when they should use 'blank,' such as saying 'an empty screen' (it is usually 'blank' if it's on but has no text).
Memory Tip
Think of a 'blanket' of snow covering everything—it makes the whole ground look like one big, unmarked, blank surface.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French word 'blanc,' meaning white.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The concept of a 'blank slate' (tabula rasa) is a major philosophical idea in Western culture regarding how humans are born without innate knowledge.
Quick Quiz
When the interviewer asked about my previous experience, my mind suddenly went ___.
Correct!
The correct answer is: blank
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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