1
archaic
: colorless
2
a
: appearing or causing to appear dazed, confounded, or nonplussed
stared in blank dismay
b
: expressionless
a blank stare
3
a
: devoid of covering or content
a blank space
: such as
(1)
: free from writing or marks
a blank sheet of paper
(2)
: without any recorded sound or information
a blank drive/DVD/disk
b
: having spaces to be filled in
a blank application form
see also blank check
c
: lacking interest, variety, or change
blank hours
4
: absolute, unqualified
a blank refusal
5
: unfinished
especially
: having a plain or unbroken surface where an opening is usual
a blank key
a blank arch
blankly
adverb
blankness
noun
1
obsolete
: the bull's-eye of a target
2
a
: an empty space (as on a paper)
b
: a paper with spaces for the entry of data
an order blank
3
a
: a piece of material prepared to be made into something (such as a key) by a further operation
b
: a cartridge loaded with propellant and a seal but no projectile
4
a
: an empty or featureless place or space
my mind was a blank
b
: a vacant or uneventful period
a long blank in history
5
: a dash substituting for an omitted word
blanked; blanking; blanks
1
a
: obscure, obliterate
blank out a line
b
: to stop access to : seal
blank off a tunnel
2
: to keep (an opponent) from scoring
were blanked for eight innings
3
British slang
: to treat (a friend or acquaintance) in a hostile or unfriendly way : to ignore or refuse to talk to (someone)
And unpopular Gardiner has found himself isolated after the show's cast and crew blanked him.—
Mark Jefferies
Mark Jefferies1
: fade
—usually used with out
the music blanked out
2
: to become confused or abstracted
—often used with out
his mind blanked out momentarily
Synonyms
Examples of blank in a Sentence
Adjective
a blank sheet of paper
a book with blank pages
Noun
The form has a blank for your signature.
The actors are shooting blanks.
Verb
The goalie blanked the Falcons for two periods in the hockey game.
Recent Examples on the Web
Barbara Ellis, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025
This option is like a blank canvas; wear it solo for an understated look, or layer it under a blazer for a dressier move inspired by Graham.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 2 Feb. 2025
Michael Saponara, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2025
The prequel is meant to fill in the blanks of a towering figure within the franchise’s lore.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024
Nate Jones, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
This was the second start in the last three he’s blanked an opponent.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for blank 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Harvey is a stellar writer, placing words with delicate precision on the blank sky of the page; her sentences of dazzling beauty won her the 2024 Booker Prize.
—Barbara Ellis, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025
This option is like a blank canvas; wear it solo for an understated look, or layer it under a blazer for a dressier move inspired by Graham.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 2 Feb. 2025
Noun
Rocky’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, has maintained that the weapon was a prop gun and not a real firearm, as the rapper shot off blanks to defuse the situation.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2025
The prequel is meant to fill in the blanks of a towering figure within the franchise’s lore.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
But blanking at the Golden Globes threw off the vibes, and now many are expecting the film to come away from Oscar night with only a consolation-prize Original Screenplay trophy.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
This was the second start in the last three he’s blanked an opponent.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for blank
Dictionary Entries Near blank
Cite this Entry
“Blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blank. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
blank
1 of 3 adjective1
: being without writing, printing, or marks
a blank sheet of paper
2
: having empty spaces to be filled in
a blank form
3
: having no expression
a blank look
4
: lacking variety, change, or accomplishment : empty
a blank day
5
: without exceptions : absolute sense 3
blank refusal
6
: not shaped into finished form
a blank key
blankly
adverb
blankness
noun
blank
2 of 3 noun1
a
: an empty space (as on a paper)
b
: a paper with spaces for the entry of information
2
: an empty place
my mind was a blank
3
: a piece of material prepared to be made into something (as a key)
4
: a cartridge loaded with gunpowder but no bullet
blank
3 of 3 verb1
: to keep from scoring
were blanked for eight innings
2
: to become confused
blanked out for a moment
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