German word

hohl

Pronunciation

IPA/hoːl/

Meaning

  • adjectivehollow

Example

Der hohle Baumstamm ist alt.

The hollow tree trunk is old.

Illustration for hohl (hollow)

More examples

Sein Versprechen klang hohl.

His promise sounded hollow.

Core concept

An empty space lies inside a shell, extending naturally to hollow words, promises, or arguments that have an impressive form but little substance.

Common phrases

  • ein hohles Versprechen

    hollow promise

  • ein hohles Lächeln

    hollow smile

Similar words

leer: Containing no people or things.
ausgehöhlt: Made hollow by having material removed from the inside.
inhaltlos: Lacking meaningful content or substance.

Definition in German

Innen leer oder ohne festen Kern; im übertragenen Sinn inhaltsleer oder unecht.

Word origin

Hohl is an inherited Germanic formation descended from Old High German hol, with English hollow as a close cognate.

Usage tips

  • The figurative phrases hohle Worte and hohle Versprechungen express strong criticism rather than a neutral lack of content.

Other meanings

  • emptyadjective

Opposites

  • inhaltsreichrich in contentadjective

Related words

  • Aushöhlunghollowingnoun
  • Höhlunghollownoun

Word lists with this word