blank / blangk/ • adj. 1. (of a surface or background) unrelieved by decorative or other features; bare, empty, or plain: the blank skyline. ∎  not written or printed on: a blank sheet of paper. ∎  (of a document) with spaces left for a signature or details: blank tax-return forms. ∎  (of a recording medium) with nothing recorded on it: blank cassettes.2. showing incomprehension or no reaction: we were met by blank looks. ∎  having temporarily no knowledge or understanding: her mind went blank. • n. 1. a space left to be filled in a document: this game required players to fill in the blanks in a story. ∎  a document with blank spaces to be filled.2. (also blank cartridge) a cartridge containing gunpowder but no bullet, used for training or as a signal.3. an empty space or period of time, esp. in terms of a lack of knowledge or understanding: my mind was a total blank.4. an object that has no mark or design on it, in particular: ∎  a roughly cut metal or wooden block intended for further shaping or finishing. ∎  a plain metal disk from which a coin is made by stamping a design on it.5. a dash written instead of a word or letter, esp. instead of an obscenity or profanity. ∎  used euphemistically in place of a noun regarded as obscene, profane, or abusive.• v. [tr.] 1. cover up, obscure, or cause to appear blank or empty: electronic countermeasures blanked out the radar signals. ∎  [intr.] become blank or empty: the picture blanked out.2. inf. defeat (a sports opponent) without allowing the opposition to score: Baltimore blanked Toronto in a 7–0 victory.PHRASES: draw a blank elicit no successful response; fail: the search drew a blank.DERIVATIVES: blank·ly adv.blank·ness n.