Void vs. Devoid: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 18, 2023
"Void" refers to emptiness or a space with nothing in it, while "Devoid" means completely lacking or free from something specific.
Key Differences
Void is a noun and an adjective that often alludes to a space or gap where there's nothing present. It can be physical emptiness, like a void in the universe, or metaphorical, like a void in someone's heart. Devoid, primarily an adjective, is always followed by the preposition "of" and denotes the absence of a particular quality or element, asserting that something lacks that specific characteristic entirely.
The word Void can also imply invalidity. For instance, in legal contexts, a contract can be termed as void, meaning it has no legal force or effect. On the other hand, Devoid doesn't carry such connotations of invalidity but strictly points out the absence of something, like when a dessert is devoid of sugar.
When considering grammar, Void stands independently in a sentence, acting either as a noun or adjective. For instance, "She felt a void inside her." In contrast, Devoid is followed by "of" and then what's lacking, like in the sentence, "The land is devoid of vegetation."
Void is versatile in its application and can move beyond describing emptiness to imply ineffectiveness. For instance, "His promises were void." Whereas, Devoid remains fixed in its use, always indicating the total lack of a certain quality or element, without the broader applications that "void" offers.
Both Void and Devoid express the idea of absence, but they differ in scope and application. While void suggests a general emptiness or nullity, devoid focuses on a specific absence, always pointing out what is missing from the subject in question.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun and Adjective
Adjective
Meaning
Emptiness or space with nothing in it.
Completely lacking a specific quality/element.
Grammatical Construction
Stands independently
Always followed by "of"
Application Beyond Emptiness
Can imply invalidity or ineffectiveness.
Strictly points to a specific absence.
Contextual Examples
"Void contract", "emotional void".
"Devoid of emotion", "land devoid of trees".
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Void and Devoid Definitions
Void
A feeling of emptiness or hollowness
He felt a void after the loss.
Devoid
Completely lacking in a particular quality or value
The room was devoid of warmth.
Void
Invalid or null, having no legal force
The contract was deemed void.
Devoid
Absent of specific characteristics
The painting was devoid of emotion.
Void
Containing no matter; empty.
Devoid
Empty of; without
The sky was devoid of clouds.
Void
Not occupied; unfilled.
Devoid
Free from, not having
The dessert was devoid of sugar.
Void
Completely lacking; devoid
Void of understanding.
Devoid
Not possessing or untouched by
The land was devoid of vegetation.
Void
Ineffective; useless.
Devoid
Completely lacking; destitute or empty
A novel devoid of wit and inventiveness.
Void
Having no legal force or validity; null
A contract rendered void.
Devoid
Completely without; having none of.
I went searching for a knife, but the kitchen was devoid of anything sharper than a spoon.
Void
(Games) Lacking cards of a particular suit in a dealt hand.
Devoid
(obsolete) To empty out; to remove.
The child will devoid the garbage after he devours his sandwich.
Void
An empty space.
Devoid
To empty out; to remove.
Void
A vacuum.
Devoid
Void; empty; vacant.
Void
An open space or a break in continuity; a gap.
Devoid
Destitute; not in possession; - with of; as, devoid of sense; devoid of pity or of pride.
Void
A feeling or state of emptiness, loneliness, or loss.
Devoid
Completely lacking
Void
(Games) Absence of cards of a particular suit in a dealt hand
A void in hearts.
Void
To take out (the contents of something); empty.
Void
To excrete (body wastes).
Void
To leave; vacate.
Void
To make void or of no validity; invalidate
Issued a new passport and voided the old one.
Void
To excrete body wastes.
Void
Nothing; empty; not occupied or filled.
Void
Having no incumbent; unoccupied; said of offices etc.
Void
Being without; destitute; devoid.
Void
Not producing any effect; ineffectual; vain.
Void
Of no legal force or effect, incapable of confirmation or ratification.
Null and void
Void
Containing no immaterial quality; destitute of mind or soul.
Void
That does not return a value; a procedure.
Void
An empty space; a vacuum.
Nobody has crossed the void since one man died trying three hundred years ago; it's high time we had another go.
Void
(astronomy) An extended region of space containing no galaxies.
Void
(materials science) A collection of adjacent vacancies inside a crystal lattice.
Void
(fluid mechanics) A pocket of vapour inside a fluid flow, created by cavitation.
Void
(construction) An empty space between floors or walls, including false separations and planned gaps between a building and its facade.
Void
A black cat.
My little void is so sweet sometimes.
Void
An empty place; A location that has nothing useful.
Void
A voidee.
Void
(transitive) To make invalid or worthless.
He voided the check and returned it.
Void
To empty.
Void one’s bowels
Void
To throw or send out; to evacuate; to emit; to discharge.
To void excrement
Void
To withdraw, depart.
Void
To remove the contents of; to make or leave vacant or empty; to quit; to leave.
To void a table
Void
Containing nothing; empty; vacant; not occupied; not filled.
The earth was without form, and void.
I 'll get me to a place more void.
I 'll chain him in my study, that, at void hours,I may run over the story of his country.
Void
Having no incumbent; unoccupied; - said of offices and the like.
Divers great offices that had been long void.
Void
Being without; destitute; free; wanting; devoid; as, void of learning, or of common use.
A conscience void of offense toward God.
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbor.
Void
Not producing any effect; ineffectual; vain.
[My word] shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please.
I will make void the counsel of Judah.
Void
Containing no immaterial quality; destitute of mind or soul.
Void
Of no legal force or effect, incapable of confirmation or ratification; null. Cf. Voidable, 2.
Void
An empty space; a vacuum.
Pride, where wit fails, steps in to our defense,And fills up all the mighty void of sense.
Void
To remove the contents of; to make or leave vacant or empty; to quit; to leave; as, to void a table.
Void anon her place.
If they will fight with us, bid them come down,Or void the field.
Void
To throw or send out; to evacuate; to emit; to discharge; as, to void excrements.
A watchful application of mind in voiding prejudices.
With shovel, like a fury, voided outThe earth and scattered bones.
Void
To render void; to make to be of no validity or effect; to vacate; to annul; to nullify.
After they had voided the obligation of the oath he had taken.
It was become a practice . . . to void the security that was at any time given for money so borrowed.
Void
To be emitted or evacuated.
Void
The state of nonexistence
Void
An empty area or space;
The huge desert voids
The emptiness of outer space
Without their support he'll be ruling in a vacuum
Void
Declare invalid;
The contract was annulled
Void a plea
Void
Clear (a room, house, place) of occupants or empty or clear (a place, receptacle, etc.) of something;
The chemist voided the glass bottle
The concert hall was voided of the audience
Void
Take away the legal force of or render ineffective;
Invalidateas a contract
Void
Excrete or discharge from the body
Void
Lacking any legal or binding force;
Null and void
Void
Containing nothing;
The earth was without form, and void
Void
A space entirely devoid of matter
There's a void in the universe.
Void
Completely empty or uninhabited
The house remained void for years.
Void
Ineffectiveness or uselessness
His claims were void of truth.
FAQs
Is "void" a noun and adjective?
Yes, it can act as both.
Is "devoid" used before what's lacking?
Yes, typically "devoid" is followed by "of" and then what's absent.
What does "devoid of emotion" mean?
It means completely lacking emotion.
Can "void" indicate invalidity?
Yes, like in a "void contract."
Does "devoid" imply a complete absence?
Yes, it means completely lacking a specific quality or element.
Can "void" describe a place?
Yes, like a "void" space or uninhabited area.
Can "devoid" stand alone without "of"?
No, it's always followed by "of" and then what's lacking.
Is "void" always negative?
Generally, it indicates absence or nullity, which can be perceived negatively.
Can "devoid" describe a taste?
Yes, like food "devoid of flavor."
Does "void" only describe physical emptiness?
No, void can describe both physical and emotional emptiness.
Can a feeling be described as "void"?
Yes, like feeling a "void" of emptiness or loss.
Is "devoid" a noun?
No, "devoid" is an adjective.
Does "devoid" have synonyms?
Yes, like "lacking" or "bereft."
Is "devoid" stronger than "lacking"?
Generally, "devoid" implies a total absence, making it stronger.
Can "void" relate to legal contexts?
Yes, like "void agreements" that lack legal standing.
Can "devoid" be used in positive contexts?
It can, like "devoid of errors."
Is a "void check" empty?
No, it's a check marked "void" to indicate it shouldn't be cashed.
Can "void" mean ineffective?
Yes, like claims that are void of truth.
Can "void" describe emotions?
Yes, like feeling a "void" of loneliness.
Is "devoid" always followed by negative aspects?
No, it just points to an absence, like "devoid of errors."
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
