blank
gb/blˈæŋk/ us/blˈæŋk/
A2
English
~ 4000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Without marks or writing
With nothing written, printed, or drawn on it.
Usage pattern:
a blank [page/form/screen]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'blank' with 'empty' when talking about physical space rather than writing surfaces.
Synonyms
empty (Refers generally to containing nothing; not limited to marks or writing.)
Antonyms
filled (Containing writing, marks, or decoration.)
Collocations
blank page
|blank form
|blank screen
|blank space
|blank sheet
Themes
writing
|documents
|appearance
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She handed me a blank sheet of paper.
- The form was completely blank when I received it.
- Leave the last page blank for notes.
- He stared at the blank computer screen.
- The notebook was full of blank pages.
Learner examples
- I wrote my name on the blank page.
- This form is blank.
- The screen is blank now.
- We have many blank sheets.
- Please give me a blank card.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Empty space in text or form
An empty space in writing or on a form where you can write information.
Usage pattern:
fill in the blank(s)
Synonyms
space (A general term for an empty area; not always in writing.)
Antonyms
entry (Information or text that has been filled in.)
Collocations
fill in the blank
|leave a blank
|blank space
Themes
writing
|documents
|communication
|education
|work
Examples
- Please fill in the blanks with the correct answers.
- There was a large blank where his signature should be.
- The puzzle had several blanks to complete.
Learner examples
- Fill in the blank with your name.
- Write your age in the blank.
- There is a blank here for your phone number.
adjective
B1
property
3
Without expression or emotion
Having no expression on your face.
Usage pattern:
a blank [look/face/stare]
Synonyms
expressionless (Formal or neutral term for showing no expression.)
Antonyms
animated (Showing lively expression and movement.)
Collocations
blank look
|blank stare
|blank expression
Themes
emotions
|appearance
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He gave me a blank look when I asked the question.
- Her face went blank when she heard the news.
- The teacher was met with blank stares from the class.
Learner examples
- He gave me a blank look.
- Her face was blank.
- I saw a blank stare from him.
Verb
informal
B2
action
4
Forget suddenly and temporarily
To suddenly forget something you know for a short time.
Usage pattern:
to blank on [something]
Synonyms
forget (General term for not remembering; 'blank' suggests sudden or temporary forgetting.)
Antonyms
remember (To bring something back into your mind.)
Collocations
completely blanked on
|blank on his name
Themes
memory
|daily life
|education
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I completely blanked on her name during the meeting.
- He blanked on the answer even though he studied it yesterday.
- Sorry, I just blanked on what I was about to say.
Learner examples
- I blanked on his name.
- She blanked on the answer.
- I just blanked on the word.
Grammar
Dictionary form
blank
IPA
GB/blˈæŋk/
US/blˈæŋk/
Syllables & stress
blank (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (blank)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: blank
Noun
- Base: blank
- Plural: blanks
Verb
- Base: blank
- 3rd Person Singular: blanks
- Present Participle: blanking
- Past: blanked
Word family
Expressions
blank slate
1/blˈæŋk slˈeɪt/
idiom
Without prior experience or influence
A person or thing with no experience or history, ready to be shaped or taught.
Examples
- She approached the job as a blank slate, ready to learn everything from scratch.
- The new policy starts with a blank slate for all employees.
blank slate
1/blˈæŋk slˈeɪt/
idiom
fresh start with no history
a new start with nothing decided yet
Examples
- After the rebrand, the company wanted to start with a blank slate.
- I moved to a new city to begin with a blank slate.
- The coach treated every tryout as a blank slate.
draw a blank
1/dɹˈɔ ə blˈæŋk/
idiom
informal
Fail to remember or find answer
To try but not be able to remember something or find an answer.
Examples
- I tried to remember his name, but I drew a blank.
- She drew a blank when asked about the meeting details.
draw a blank
1/dɹˈɔ ə blˈæŋk/
idiom
find nothing; get no answer
to try but find nothing
Examples
- I tried to remember his last name, but I drew a blank.
- The police questioned several witnesses and drew a blank.
- We searched online for hours and still drew a blank.
fill in the blanks
1/fˈɪl ˈɪn ðə blˈæŋks/
fixed phrase
Complete missing information
To write the missing words or information in empty spaces.
Examples
- Please fill in the blanks with the correct words.
- The form is incomplete; can you fill in the blanks?