rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryvacancyAvailable space
noun

vacancy

VAY-kun-see/ˈveɪkənsi/

An available place or position with no current occupant.

The hotel has one vacancy left for tonight.

Unoccupied hotel room with open door and neatly made bed, available for a guest.
Etymology
vacLatinbe empty
+ancyLatinstate or condition

The pieces express a state of being empty. That abstract condition became the name for something unfilled, such as an office awaiting an occupant or a room available to a guest.

In context

Town Meeting TV97:30
Burlington where many people are likely to head has a rental vacancy rate of 1% this creates a scenario where people are forced to sleep unsheltered due to there being no other options available to them
Burlington City Council - 10/10/2023

More examples

  • The school is advertising a vacancy for a math teacher.
  • We keep checking for vacancies in that apartment building.
  • Her resignation leaves a vacancy on the city council.

Forms

vacancy · vacancies

vacant adjective — Empty and available for someone to occupy.

vacate verb — To leave a place or position unoccupied.

Similar words

opening
Usually an available job or opportunity, not an empty room.
space
Refers broadly to room for use, not necessarily an unoccupied unit.