Warning: DOMDocument::loadHTML(): Attribute class redefined in Entity, line: 1 in /home/customer/www/learnamericanenglishonline.com/public_html/wp-content/themes/generatepress-child/functions.php on line 68

Warning: DOMDocument::loadHTML(): Unexpected end tag : p in Entity, line: 8 in /home/customer/www/learnamericanenglishonline.com/public_html/wp-content/themes/generatepress-child/functions.php on line 68

Word of the Day

blank

 

The word "blank" is similar to the words "empty" and "nothing." If something is blank, nothing is there. You can use "blank" as a noun, a verb, or as an adjective:

  • His mind is blank. (adjective)
  • He blanked on the question. (verb)
  • He’s pulling up blanks. (noun)

These sentences use "blank" as an adjective:

  • Nguyen needs a blank piece of paper for her assignment.
  • There’s something wrong with my computer. The screen is completely blank.
  • Newspapers don’t have a lot of blank space on their pages.

blank sign The sign is blank.

These sentences use "blank" as a verb:

  • The teacher felt a little embarrassed when he blanked on her name.
  • Tina blanked on the test. She couldn’t remember anything.
  • I’m sorry, I’m blanking.

These sentences use "blank" as a noun:

  • You need to fill in the blanks on this form.
  • My mind is a blank.
  • The man on stage pulled a blank when asked a simple question. (oops!)

Note: The word "blank" is related to "blanco," which means "white" in Spanish.

(This page was originally published on LearnAmerican EnglishOnline.com on November 12, 2011)