Holler vs. Hollow — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 9, 2024
Holler refers to a loud shout or cry, used to attract attention or express emotion, while hollow denotes an empty space within something or a depression in a surface.
Difference Between Holler and Hollow
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Key Differences
Holler is primarily used as a verb or noun to describe a specific type of loud vocal expression, often used to communicate across distances or in response to an emotion. On the other hand, hollow serves both as an adjective and a noun, describing a void or emptiness within a physical object or area.
While holler implies an action or sound made by a person, typically loud and sometimes spontaneous, hollow refers to a physical characteristic, marking an absence or space where something might have been filled. Hollow can describe cavities in trees, dips in the land, or even feelings of emptiness.
In terms of usage, holler is common in everyday language to describe shouting or crying out, particularly in American English and Southern dialects. Whereas, hollow is used in both everyday and technical language to describe physical and metaphorical spaces, such as in geology, carpentry, and emotional descriptions.
Holler can be used metaphorically to describe any loud, clear call for attention, like hollering one's beliefs or desires. Hollow, however, is often used metaphorically to describe feelings of emptiness or lack of fulfillment, such as a hollow victory or hollow words.
When considering their origins, holler evolved from the Middle English "holloren" which relates to shouting. Conversely, hollow comes from the Old English "holh," meaning a hole or cavity, reflecting its use in describing physical depressions or voids.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb, Noun
Adjective, Noun
Meaning
A loud cry or shout
An empty space inside something, depression
Usage in Speech
Express emotion, attract attention
Describe emptiness, cavity
Metaphorical Uses
Call for attention, express loudly
Feelings of emptiness, insubstantial victory
Etymology
From Middle English "holloren" (to shout)
From Old English "holh" (hole, cavity)
Compare with Definitions
Holler
To shout loudly.
He would often holler for help from the backyard.
Hollow
Without real significance or value.
His apology felt hollow after so many mistakes.
Holler
To call out or greet enthusiastically.
The crowd hollered as the band took the stage.
Hollow
Having a hole or empty space inside.
The hollow tree became a home for owls.
Holler
To complain or protest loudly.
She hollered about the unfair treatment at work.
Hollow
Sounding empty or echoing.
The hollow sound of footsteps in the hall was unnerving.
Holler
A specific dialectal term used in the southern U.S. for a small valley.
They lived down in the holler where the creek bends.
Hollow
A depression in a surface.
Water collected in the hollows along the path.
Holler
A loud cry or shout.
His holler could be heard across the field.
Hollow
A secluded or enclosed valley.
Mist filled the quiet hollow by dawn.
Holler
Give a loud shout or cry
He hollers when he wants feeding
‘I can't get down,’ she hollered
Hollow
Having a cavity, gap, or space within
A hollow wall.
Holler
A loud cry or shout
The audience responded with whoops and hollers
Hollow
Deeply indented or concave; sunken
"His bearded face already has a set, hollow look" (Conor Cruise O'Brien).
Holler
To yell or shout.
Hollow
Without substance or character
A hollow person.
Holler
(Informal) To complain.
Hollow
Devoid of truth or validity; specious
"Theirs is at best a hollow form of flattery" (Annalyn Swan).
Holler
To shout out (words or phrases).
Hollow
Having a reverberating, sepulchral sound
Hollow footsteps.
Holler
A yell or shout; a call.
Hollow
A cavity, gap, or space
A hollow behind a wall.
Holler
(Informal) A complaint or gripe.
Hollow
An indented or concave surface or area.
Holler
Variant of hollow.
Hollow
A void; an emptiness
A hollow in one's life.
Holler
A yell, shout.
I heard a holler from over the fence.
Hollow
A small valley between hills or mountains.
Holler
Any communication to get somebody's attention.
If you need anything, just give me a holler.
Hollow
To make hollow
Hollow out a pumpkin.
Holler
(music) A field holler.
Hollow
To scoop or form by making concave
Hollow out a nest in the sand.
Holler
Alternative form of hollow.
Hollow
To become hollow or empty.
Holler
(intransitive) To yell or shout.
You can holler at your computer as much as you want, but it won't help anything.
Hollow
A small valley between mountains.
He built himself a cabin in a hollow high up in the Rockies.
Holler
(transitive) To call out one or more words
Hollow
A sunken area or unfilled space in something solid; a cavity, natural or artificial.
The hollow of the hand or of a tree
Holler
To complain, gripe
Hollow
(figuratively) A feeling of emptiness.
A hollow in the pit of one’s stomach
Holler
Alternative form of hollow.
The holler tree
Hollow
(US) A sunken area.
Holler
A very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal);
His bellow filled the hallway
Hollow
(transitive) to make a hole in something; to excavate
Holler
A small valley between mountains;
He built himself a cabin in a hollow high up in the Appalachians
Hollow
To call or urge by shouting; to hollo.
Holler
Shout out;
He hollered out to surrender our weapons
Hollow
(of something solid) Having an empty space or cavity inside.
A hollow tree; a hollow sphere
Holler
Utter a sudden loud cry;
She cried with pain when the doctor inserted the needle
I yelled to her from the window but she couldn't hear me
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.
Holler
Complain;
What was he hollering about?
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
What does it mean to holler at someone?
Hollering at someone typically means to shout or cry out loudly to them, often to get their attention or express strong emotion.
Can "holler" be used in a formal setting?
"Holler" is generally considered informal and is more suitable for casual or colloquial contexts.
What is the difference in pronunciation between "holler" and "hollow"?
"Holler" is pronounced with a short "o" sound, like in "hot," whereas "hollow" has a long "o" sound, like in "hole."
Can hollow describe feelings?
Yes, hollow can be used metaphorically to describe feelings of emptiness or emotional void.
What does a hollow victory mean?
A hollow victory refers to a win or achievement that brings little satisfaction or appears empty of meaning.
Are there any synonyms for hollow?
Yes, synonyms for hollow include empty, void, and concave.
Is "holler" a slang term?
Yes, in many dialects, especially in Southern American English, "holler" is considered a slang term for shouting or a small valley.
Can hollow be a physical characteristic?
Yes, hollow describes a physical characteristic indicating an empty space inside something or a depression in a surface.
What type of word is holler?
Holler can be used both as a verb (to shout) and a noun (a shout or a small valley).
What is a synonym for holler?
A synonym for holler is shout or yell.
How is "holler" used differently in various English-speaking regions?
In Southern U.S. English, "holler" also refers to a small, remote valley, besides its general meaning of shouting.
Is "hollow" used in science?
Yes, hollow is used in fields like geology and biology to describe structures with empty spaces or cavities.
What contexts is hollow used in?
Hollow is used in various contexts, including describing physical spaces, feelings, and even sound quality.
Can holler be used positively?
Yes, holler can be used positively when it means to call out or greet someone enthusiastically.
Can "hollow" have a positive connotation?
Generally, hollow carries a negative connotation, indicating something lacking depth or substance.
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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
