Hallow vs. Hollow — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 7, 2024
Hallow means to honor as holy, while Hollow refers to something empty or void.
Difference Between Hallow and Hollow
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Hallow is used to denote the act of making something holy or sacred, often through a religious or solemn ceremony. On the other hand, Hollow describes an object or space that is empty or void on the inside.
Hallow involves a transformation or designation of a particular object, place, or day as sacred or worthy of reverence. In contrast, Hollow can refer to physical objects, like a hollow tree or a hollow chocolate Easter bunny, indicating that there is an empty space within.
For instance, certain religious holidays or places might be hallowed through tradition or ritual, setting them apart as special or holy. While Hollow can also be used metaphorically to describe a feeling of emptiness or lack of genuine emotion, as in "hollow words" or "a hollow victory," where the success lacks true satisfaction or value.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To make holy or sacred
Having a space or cavity inside
Usage
Religious or ceremonial contexts
Descriptive of physical objects or feelings
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Connotation
Reverence, sanctity
Emptiness, voidness
Examples
Hallowed ground, Hallowe'en (All Hallows' Eve)
Hollow tree, hollow promise
Etymology
Old English "halgian" meaning to consecrate
Old English "holh" meaning a hollow or hole
Compare with Definitions
Hallow
To consecrate or set apart as holy.
The priest will hallow the new chapel next week.
Hollow
Lacking real value, sincerity, or significance.
His apology felt hollow after everything he had done.
Hallow
To respect or honor greatly.
The soldiers' bravery is hallowed in our community.
Hollow
Having a hole or empty space inside.
The children discovered a hollow log to play in.
Hallow
To invoke a holy sanction upon.
The prophet hallowed the water before the ceremony.
Hollow
Producing an echo due to emptiness.
The hollow walls made their voices echo in the empty house.
Hallow
To render sacred by religious rites.
The ground where the battle took place is now hallowed.
Hollow
To remove the inside part of something.
The artist hollowed out the wood to create a sculpture.
Hallow
To bless or make fortunate.
The couple felt their union was hallowed by their ancestors' approval.
Hollow
Sunken, as in hollow cheeks or eyes.
His hollow eyes revealed the sleepless nights he had.
Hallow
Honour as holy
The Ganges is hallowed as a sacred, cleansing river
Hollow
Having a cavity, gap, or space within
A hollow wall.
Hallow
A saint or holy person.
Hollow
Deeply indented or concave; sunken
"His bearded face already has a set, hollow look" (Conor Cruise O'Brien).
Hallow
To make or set apart as holy.
Hollow
Without substance or character
A hollow person.
Hallow
To respect or honor greatly; revere.
Hollow
Devoid of truth or validity; specious
"Theirs is at best a hollow form of flattery" (Annalyn Swan).
Hallow
A holy person or saint.
Hollow
Having a reverberating, sepulchral sound
Hollow footsteps.
Hallow
A sacred or magical object.
Hollow
A cavity, gap, or space
A hollow behind a wall.
Hallow
A saint; a holy person; an apostle.
All Hallows Eve (or Halloween), the night before All Hallows Day (now more commonly known as "All Saints Day").
Hollow
An indented or concave surface or area.
Hallow
The relics or shrines of saints or non-Christian gods.
To seek hallows: to visit relics or shrines, in the belief that the saints themselves are present there.
Hollow
A void; an emptiness
A hollow in one's life.
Hallow
A shout, cry; a hulloo.
Hollow
A small valley between hills or mountains.
Hallow
(transitive) To make holy, to sanctify.
Hollow
To make hollow
Hollow out a pumpkin.
Hallow
To shout, especially to urge on dogs for hunting.
Hollow
To scoop or form by making concave
Hollow out a nest in the sand.
Hallow
To make holy; to set apart for holy or religious use; to consecrate; to treat or keep as sacred; to reverence.
Hallow the Sabbath day, to do no work therein.
His secret altar touched with hallowed fire.
In a larger sense . . . we can not hallow this ground [Gettysburg].
Hollow
To become hollow or empty.
Hallow
Render holy by means of religious rites
Hollow
A small valley between mountains.
He built himself a cabin in a hollow high up in the Rockies.
Hollow
A sunken area or unfilled space in something solid; a cavity, natural or artificial.
The hollow of the hand or of a tree
Hollow
(figuratively) A feeling of emptiness.
A hollow in the pit of one’s stomach
Hollow
(US) A sunken area.
Hollow
(transitive) to make a hole in something; to excavate
Hollow
To call or urge by shouting; to hollo.
Hollow
(of something solid) Having an empty space or cavity inside.
A hollow tree; a hollow sphere
Hollow
(of a sound) Distant, eerie; echoing, reverberating, as if in a hollow space; dull, muffled; often low-pitched.
He let out a hollow moan.
Hollow
(figuratively) Without substance; having no real or significant worth; meaningless.
A hollow victory
Hollow
(figuratively) Insincere, devoid of validity; specious.
A hollow promise
Hollow
Concave; gaunt; sunken.
Hollow
(gymnastics) Pertaining to hollow body position
Hollow
(colloquial) Completely, as part of the phrase beat hollow or beat all hollow.
Hollow
Alternative form of hollo
Hollow
Having an empty space or cavity, natural or artificial, within a solid substance; not solid; excavated in the interior; as, a hollow tree; a hollow sphere.
Hollow with boards shalt thou make it.
Hollow
Depressed; concave; gaunt; sunken.
With hollow eye and wrinkled brow.
Hollow
Reverberated from a cavity, or resembling such a sound; deep; muffled; as, a hollow roar.
Hollow
Not sincere or faithful; false; deceitful; not sound; as, a hollow heart; a hollow friend.
Hollow
A cavity, natural or artificial; an unfilled space within anything; a hole, a cavern; an excavation; as the hollow of the hand or of a tree.
Hollow
A low spot surrounded by elevations; a depressed part of a surface; a concavity; a channel.
Forests grewUpon the barren hollows.
I hate the dreadful hollow behind the little wood.
Hollow
To make hollow, as by digging, cutting, or engraving; to excavate.
Hollow
To shout; to hollo.
Whisperings and hollowings are alike to a deaf ear.
Hollow
To urge or call by shouting.
He has hollowed the hounds.
Hollow
Hollo.
Hollow
A cavity or space in something;
Hunger had caused the hollows in their cheeks
Hollow
A small valley between mountains;
He built himself a cabin in a hollow high up in the Appalachians
Hollow
A depression hollowed out of solid matter
Hollow
Remove the inner part or the core of;
The mining company wants to excavate the hillsite
Hollow
Remove the interior of;
Hollow out a tree trunk
Hollow
Not solid; having a space or gap or cavity;
A hollow wall
A hollow tree
Hollow cheeks
His face became gaunter and more hollow with each year
Hollow
Deliberately deceptive;
Hollow (or false) promises
False pretenses
Hollow
As if echoing in a hollow space;
The hollow sound of footsteps in the empty ballroom
Hollow
Devoid of significance or point;
Empty promises
A hollow victory
Vacuous comments
Common Curiosities
Are there any specific rituals for hallowing an object or place?
Specific rituals for hallowing can vary widely among different cultures and religions, often involving prayers, blessings, or other ceremonial actions.
How do "hallow" and "hollow" differ in etymology?
"Hallow" comes from the Old English "halgian," meaning to consecrate, while "hollow" comes from "holh," meaning a hole or cavity.
Can "hollow" describe feelings or emotions?
Yes, "hollow" can be used metaphorically to describe feelings of emptiness or lack of genuine emotion.
What is a common use of "hollow" in literature?
In literature, "hollow" is often used to describe settings or characters that lack depth, sincerity, or meaningful substance.
Can landscapes be described as hollow?
Yes, geographical features like valleys or caves can be described as hollow if they have a concave shape or empty spaces.
What does it mean to hallow something?
To hallow something means to make it holy or sacred, often through a religious or solemn ceremony.
Can an object be both hallowed and hollow?
Yes, an object can be both hallowed and hollow if it is considered sacred but has an empty space inside, like a religious relic.
How does the context change the meaning of "hallow" and "hollow"?
The context can greatly change the meaning; "hallow" in a religious context refers to sanctification, while "hollow" in a social context might indicate insincerity.
Is "Hallowe'en" related to "hallow"?
Yes, "Hallowe'en" or "Halloween" is short for "All Hallows' Eve," referring to the evening before All Saints' Day, where "hallows" means saints or holy people.
Are there any cultural significances to hollow objects in folklore?
In folklore, hollow objects, like trees or caves, often serve as gateways to other worlds or are home to mystical creatures.
Is "hollow" always negative?
While "hollow" often has negative connotations, it can be neutral when describing physical characteristics, like a hollow tube.
Can the concept of "hollow" be applied to modern technology?
Yes, in technology, "hollow" can describe structures or devices designed with empty spaces for efficiency, such as hollow fiber membranes in filtration.
How do "hollow victories" contrast with meaningful successes?
Hollow victories lack true satisfaction or value, often because they were achieved unethically or without real effort, in contrast to meaningful successes that bring genuine fulfillment.
Can "hallow" be used in everyday language?
"Hallow" is less commonly used in everyday language and is more often found in religious or formal contexts.
What is a "hollow promise"?
A "hollow promise" is a commitment or assurance that is given but lacks sincerity or is unlikely to be fulfilled.
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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.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
