vacant

Where does the word "vacant" come from? It comes from Latin vacare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Vacant’s story begins in Latin: vacare meant “to be empty.” The root of 'vacation' and 'vacuum'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as vacant. Used of offices without holders. It reached English by 1300s as vacant. 'vacant' look, meaning blank, dates from the 1500s. Today, vacant means not occupied; blank.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient vacare "to be empty", the root of 'vacation' and 'vacuum'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval vacant "empty", used of offices without holders.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s vacant "empty", 'vacant' look, meaning blank, dates from the 1500s.