blank

UK: /ˈblæŋk/ US: /blæŋk/ ,(blangk)

Inflections of 'blank' (adj):

blanker

adj comparative

blankest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

blank /blæŋk/   adj., -er, -est, n., v. 
adj. 

1. having no marks:
   blank paper.
2. not filled in:
   a blank check.
3. with no ornaments or openings:
   a blank wall.
4. containing no recorded sound or images:
   a blank videotape.
5. expressionless:
   a blank look on her face.
6. confused, puzzled, or without understanding:
   He looked blank when I asked for his ticket.
7. without thoughts or ideas:
   My mind went blank.
8. complete;
   utter:
   blank stupidity.

n. [countable]

9. a place where something is lacking;
   an empty space:
   Her mind is a blank whenever it comes to that episode.
10. a space in a printed form, etc., to be filled in:
    Fill in the blanks with your answers.
11. a printed form containing such spaces:
    Take the blank to that table, fill it in, and bring it back to me.
12. a dash put in place of an omitted letter or letters, esp. to avoid writing a word considered profane or obscene.
13. Military a cartridge for a gun that has explosive powder inside but no bullet:
    fired blanks into the air.

v. [~ + object]

14. Informal Terms to keep (an opponent) from scoring in a game:
    managed to blank the Giants for six innings.

Idioms

15. Idioms draw a blank:
    • to be unsuccessful: The detective drew a blank in the investigation.
    • to fail to remember: I drew a blank when she asked me for their phone number.

blank•ly, adv.: 

She stared blankly at me when I asked her for directions.

blank•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

blank  (blangk), adj., -er, -est, n., v. 
adj. 

1. (of paper or other writing surface) having no marks;
   not written or printed on:
   a blank sheet of paper.
2. not filled in, as a printed form:
   a blank check.
3. unrelieved or unbroken by ornament, opening, decoration, etc.:
   a blank wall.
4. lacking some usual or completing feature:
   a blank roll of film.
5. Sound Reproduction (of a recording medium) containing no previously recorded information:
   a blank videocassette; a blank floppy disk.
   Cf. prerecorded.
6. void of interest, variety, results, etc.:
   She sometimes occupied her blank days reading detective stories.
7. showing no attention, interest, or emotion:
   a blank expression on his face.
8. disconcerted;
   nonplussed;
   speechless:
   He looked blank when I asked him why he applied for the job.
9. complete;
   utter;
   unmitigated:
   blank stupidity.
10. [Archaic.] white;
    pale;
    colorless.

n. 

11. a place where something is lacking;
    an empty space:
    a blank in one's memory.
12. a space in a printed form, test, etc., to be filled in:
    Write your name in the blank.
13. a printed form containing such spaces:
    Have you filled out one of these blanks?
14. a dash put in place of an omitted letter, series of letters, etc., esp. to avoid writing a word considered profane or obscene.
15. Metallurgy a piece of metal ready to be drawn, pressed, or machined into a finished object.
16. Sport [Archery.] the bull's-eye.
17. the object toward which anything is directed;
    aim;
    target.
18. Military See blank cartridge. 
19. Idioms draw a blank:
    • to fail in an attempt;
      be unsuccessful:
      We've drawn a blank in the investigation.
    • to fail to comprehend or be unable to recollect:
      He asked me their phone number and I drew a blank.

v.t. 

20. to cross out or delete, esp. in order to invalidate or void (usually fol. by out):
    to blank out an entry.
21. Informal Terms to keep (an opponent) from scoring in a game.
22. Metallurgy to stamp or punch out of flat stock, as with a die.

• Gmc; compare Old English blanca white horse, Old High German blanch bright, white
• Anglo-French, French blanc (adjective, adjectival)
• Middle English (noun, nominal and adjective, adjectival) 1300–50

blank′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. –4. See empty. 
• 8. dumfounded, confused, astounded.
• 9. pure, simple, unadulterated; perfect, absolute, unqualified.
• 11. void, vacancy, emptiness; gap, lacuna, hiatus.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

blank / blæŋk/ adjective

1. (of a writing surface) bearing no marks; not written on
2. (of a form, etc) with spaces left for details to be filled in
3. without ornament or break; unrelieved
4. not filled in; empty; void
5. exhibiting no interest or expression: a blank look
6. lacking understanding; confused: he looked blank even after the explanations
7. absolute; complete: blank rejection
8. devoid of ideas or inspiration: his mind went blank in the exam

noun

1. an emptiness; void; blank space
2. an empty space for writing in, as on a printed form
3. a printed form containing such empty spaces
4. something characterized by incomprehension or mental confusion: my mind went a complete blank
5. a mark, often a dash, in place of a word, esp a taboo word
6. short for blank cartridge
7. a plate or plug used to seal an aperture
8. a piece of material prepared for stamping, punching, forging, etc
9. draw a blank ⇒ to get no results from something

verb (transitive)

1. (usually followed by out) to cross out, blot, or obscure

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French blanc white, of Germanic origin; related to Old English blanca a white horse

ˈblankness noun