Ask Difference

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.
Empty vs. Full — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Empty and Full

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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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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba 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.

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