Abyss vs. Void — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 18, 2023
"Abyss" generally refers to a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm, often used metaphorically to suggest an unfathomable condition or quality. "Void" implies an emptiness, a space devoid of matter, or a vacuum.
Difference Between Abyss and Void
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Key Differences
The word "Abyss" often signifies a deep or bottomless chasm, pit, or cavity. This term is frequently used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, like describing deep oceans or profound sadness. The word suggests an intense depth that is difficult to measure or comprehend.
"Void," on the other hand, is used to describe emptiness or a space where there is absolutely nothing. The word is associated with a lack of substance, matter, or even conceptual existence. It doesn't necessarily imply depth or dimension but focuses more on the absence of anything at all.
In terms of grammar and language usage, "Abyss" is commonly a noun that serves to signify physical or metaphysical depths. It can be used in various contexts but typically retains its focus on "depth." "Void" is also primarily a noun but can be used as an adjective or verb, such as in "void a contract." The emphasis in its usage is on "emptiness."
Lastly, the word "Abyss" has roots in Greek and Latin, suggesting a "bottomless depth," often connected with fear or mystery. "Void" has roots in Middle English and Old French, which underlines its sense of emptiness or vacuum. Both terms are often used in philosophical and religious contexts to describe incomprehensible conditions or states of being.
Comparison Chart
Basic Definition
Deep or bottomless chasm
Emptiness or lack of matter
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Focus
Depth
Emptiness
Part of Speech
Primarily a noun
Noun, but can be a verb/adjective
Roots
Greek and Latin
Middle English and Old French
Context
Literal and metaphorical
Primarily metaphysical
Compare with Definitions
Abyss
A deep or seemingly bottomless chasm or pit.
The explorers peered into the abyss below.
Void
Containing no immaterial quality; destitute of mind or soul.
Abyss
An immeasurable void or gulf.
The abyss between the two cultures seemed vast.
Void
A space completely devoid of matter.
The void of outer space is nearly a perfect vacuum.
Abyss
An immeasurably deep chasm, depth, or void
"lost in the vast abysses of space and time" (Loren Eiseley).
Void
A gap or opening.
She filled the void in her schedule with a new hobby.
Abyss
In the book of Genesis, the primeval Chaos out of which earth and sky were formed.
Void
A hollow area within a solid object.
There was a void within the sculpture.
Abyss
The abode of evil spirits; hell.
Void
Containing no matter; empty.
Abyss
Hell; the bottomless pit; primeval chaos; a confined subterranean ocean.
Void
Not occupied; unfilled.
Abyss
A bottomless or unfathomed depth, gulf, or chasm; hence, any deep, immeasurable; any void space.
Void
Completely lacking; devoid
Void of understanding.
Abyss
Anything infinite, immeasurable, or profound.
Void
Ineffective; useless.
Abyss
Moral depravity; vast intellectual or moral depth.
They fell into the abyss of drug addiction.
Void
Having no legal force or validity; null
A contract rendered void.
Abyss
An impending catastrophic happening.
Void
(Games) Lacking cards of a particular suit in a dealt hand.
Abyss
(heraldry) The center of an escutcheon.
Void
An empty space.
Abyss
(oceanography) The abyssal zone.
Void
A vacuum.
Abyss
(figurative) A difference, especially a large difference, between groups.
Void
An open space or a break in continuity; a gap.
Abyss
A bottomless or unfathomed depth, gulf, or chasm; hence, any deep, immeasurable, and, specifically, hell, or the bottomless pit.
Ye powers and spirits of this nethermost abyss.
The throne is darkness, in the abyss of light.
Void
A feeling or state of emptiness, loneliness, or loss.
Abyss
Infinite time; a vast intellectual or moral depth.
The abysses of metaphysical theology.
In unfathomable abysses of disgrace.
Void
(Games) Absence of cards of a particular suit in a dealt hand
A void in hearts.
Abyss
The center of an escutcheon.
Void
To take out (the contents of something); empty.
Abyss
A bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
Void
To excrete (body wastes).
Abyss
A profound or unfathomable state or condition.
She was lost in an abyss of sorrow.
Void
To leave; vacate.
Abyss
The underworld or hell in religious contexts.
The fallen angels were cast into the abyss.
Void
To make void or of no validity; invalidate
Issued a new passport and voided the old one.
Abyss
A space incapable of measurement.
The abyss of outer space intrigued astronomers.
Void
To excrete body wastes.
Void
Nothing; empty; not occupied or filled.
Void
Having no incumbent; unoccupied; said of offices etc.
Void
Being without; destitute; devoid.
Void
Not producing any effect; ineffectual; vain.
Void
Of no legal force or effect, incapable of confirmation or ratification.
Null and void
Void
Containing no immaterial quality; destitute of mind or soul.
Void
That does not return a value; a procedure.
Void
An empty space; a vacuum.
Nobody has crossed the void since one man died trying three hundred years ago; it's high time we had another go.
Void
(astronomy) An extended region of space containing no galaxies.
Void
(materials science) A collection of adjacent vacancies inside a crystal lattice.
Void
(fluid mechanics) A pocket of vapour inside a fluid flow, created by cavitation.
Void
(construction) An empty space between floors or walls, including false separations and planned gaps between a building and its facade.
Void
A black cat.
My little void is so sweet sometimes.
Void
An empty place; A location that has nothing useful.
Void
A voidee.
Void
(transitive) To make invalid or worthless.
He voided the check and returned it.
Void
To empty.
Void one’s bowels
Void
To throw or send out; to evacuate; to emit; to discharge.
To void excrement
Void
To withdraw, depart.
Void
To remove the contents of; to make or leave vacant or empty; to quit; to leave.
To void a table
Void
Containing nothing; empty; vacant; not occupied; not filled.
The earth was without form, and void.
I 'll get me to a place more void.
I 'll chain him in my study, that, at void hours,I may run over the story of his country.
Void
Having no incumbent; unoccupied; - said of offices and the like.
Divers great offices that had been long void.
Void
Being without; destitute; free; wanting; devoid; as, void of learning, or of common use.
A conscience void of offense toward God.
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbor.
Void
Not producing any effect; ineffectual; vain.
[My word] shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please.
I will make void the counsel of Judah.
Void
Of no legal force or effect, incapable of confirmation or ratification; null. Cf. Voidable, 2.
Void
An empty space; a vacuum.
Pride, where wit fails, steps in to our defense,And fills up all the mighty void of sense.
Void
To remove the contents of; to make or leave vacant or empty; to quit; to leave; as, to void a table.
Void anon her place.
If they will fight with us, bid them come down,Or void the field.
Void
To throw or send out; to evacuate; to emit; to discharge; as, to void excrements.
A watchful application of mind in voiding prejudices.
With shovel, like a fury, voided outThe earth and scattered bones.
Void
To render void; to make to be of no validity or effect; to vacate; to annul; to nullify.
After they had voided the obligation of the oath he had taken.
It was become a practice . . . to void the security that was at any time given for money so borrowed.
Void
To be emitted or evacuated.
Void
The state of nonexistence
Void
An empty area or space;
The huge desert voids
The emptiness of outer space
Without their support he'll be ruling in a vacuum
Void
Declare invalid;
The contract was annulled
Void a plea
Void
Clear (a room, house, place) of occupants or empty or clear (a place, receptacle, etc.) of something;
The chemist voided the glass bottle
The concert hall was voided of the audience
Void
Take away the legal force of or render ineffective;
Invalidateas a contract
Void
Excrete or discharge from the body
Void
Lacking any legal or binding force;
Null and void
Void
Containing nothing;
The earth was without form, and void
Void
A state of emptiness or nothingness.
He felt a void after his dog passed away.
Void
Invalid or null in legal contexts.
The contract was declared void.
Common Curiosities
What is Abyss?
Abyss refers to a deep or bottomless chasm or pit.
Can Abyss be metaphorical?
Yes, it can describe unfathomable states or conditions.
Is Abyss only used in religious contexts?
No, it can be used both literally and metaphorically.
Is Void related to vacuums?
Yes, it often describes a vacuum-like emptiness.
How do Abyss and Void differ?
Abyss suggests depth, while Void emphasizes emptiness.
Is Void always literal?
No, it can also describe metaphorical or emotional emptiness.
What's the root of Void?
It has roots in Middle English and Old French, meaning "emptiness."
Can Abyss be used in science?
Yes, for example, in describing deep-ocean trenches.
How do writers use Abyss?
To describe both physical depths and deep emotional or philosophical states.
What's the root of Abyss?
It comes from Greek and Latin, meaning "bottomless depth."
What is Void?
Void implies an emptiness, a space devoid of matter.
Can Void be a verb?
Yes, as in "to void a contract."
Is Abyss always scary?
It often implies something profound, mysterious, or fearful.
Is Void a legal term?
It can be, as in "voidable contracts."
How do writers use Void?
To describe lack of existence, matter, or emotional emptiness.
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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.
