Blank Meaning

UK /blæŋk/
US /blæŋk/
Word Definition
blank meaning

Blank Definition & Usage

adjective

Empty or devoid of content, information, or marks.

Examples

  • "I stared at the blank screen, waiting for inspiration."
  • "She handed me a blank piece of paper to fill out the form."
  • "His expression remained blank as he listened to the news."
  • "The room was quiet, with blank walls and no decorations."
  • "The canvas was still blank, waiting for the artist to begin."
noun

A space left empty intentionally, usually for a specific purpose, such as to be filled in later.

Examples

  • "Please leave a blank for your signature at the bottom."
  • "I left a blank in the form where I wasn’t sure of the answer."
  • "There’s a blank in the puzzle where the last word should go."
  • "The teacher told the students to leave a blank on the test for the bonus question."
  • "The application requires a blank for your contact details."
verb

To become or remain temporarily without thoughts, ideas, or response.

Examples

  • "I blanked out during the interview when they asked about my experience."
  • "He blanked on the answer during the quiz."
  • "She blanked after hearing the unexpected question."
  • "I’m sorry, I just blanked. Can you repeat the question?"
  • "I’m so tired, my mind keeps blanking whenever I try to study."

Cultural Context

The word 'blank' has roots in Old Norse 'blanka', which meant 'shining or bright', but over time evolved to mean 'empty' or 'without content'. It is widely used in everyday speech, particularly in contexts where something is intentionally left empty or in cases of mental lapse.

The Blank Page

Story

The Blank Page

Hannah sat at her desk, staring at the blank page in front of her. She had been assigned to write a report, but the words just wouldn’t come. She tapped her pen, trying to summon an idea, but her mind was completely empty. She had been feeling this way for days—an overwhelming sense of being stuck, with nothing filling her thoughts. She glanced out the window, where the world moved on, seemingly unaffected by her mental block. Her phone buzzed with a reminder about a meeting in twenty minutes, but all she could focus on was the blank page. She shook her head, trying to clear her mind, but it was no use. She was blanking, unable to recall the information she needed. Suddenly, her colleague, Mike, popped his head into the room, holding a coffee cup. 'Still staring at that blank page?' he asked, a teasing grin on his face. 'Yeah,' Hannah replied, her voice sounding hollow. 'I can’t even get started. It’s like my mind is a blank slate.' Mike leaned against her desk, sipping his coffee. 'Well, sometimes the best ideas come when you least expect them. Just leave it blank for now, and come back to it later.' Hannah nodded. She knew he was right. Sometimes, leaving a space open allowed her thoughts to settle. She decided to leave the page blank for a while, giving herself permission to breathe. Maybe later, the words would find their way to her. After all, even the blankest of pages could eventually become something filled with meaning.

The Blank Page