How to pronounce empty
Say it like EMP-tee. Empty has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EMP).
- EMP
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Empty pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EMPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of empty
American and British speakers say empty in essentially the same way: /ˈɛmpti/ in the US and /ˈɛmpti/ in the UK.
British respelling: EMP-tee.
What does empty mean?
- Devoid of content; containing nothing or nobody; vacant.“an empty purse”
- Containing no elements (as of a string, array, or set), opposed to being null (having no valid value).
- Having nothing to carry, emptyhanded; unburdened.
- To make empty; to remove the contents of.“to empty a well or a cistern”
- Of a river, duct, etc: to drain or flow toward an ultimate destination.“Salmon River empties on the W shore about 2 miles below Bear River.”
- A container, especially a bottle, whose contents have been used up, leaving it empty.“Put the empties out to be recycled.”
Where does empty come from?
The interconsonantal excrescent p is a euphonic insertion dating from Middle English.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying empty
How do you pronounce empty?
Say EMP-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˈɛmpti/. In British English it is /ˈɛmpti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in empty?
Empty has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EMP). Broken into parts: EMP · tee.
Do Americans and Brits say empty the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɛmpti/ and the British form is /ˈɛmpti/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.