Hollow has 15 different meanings across 4 categories:
A small valley between mountains.
"The hikers rested in the hollow, a sheltered space nestled between the towering peaks."
In plain English: Hollow means a shallow, bowl-shaped area nestled among hills or mountains.
to make a hole in something; to excavate
"The hunters hollowed out their names across the valley to signal their location."
To call or urge by shouting; to hollo.
In plain English: To holler means to shout loudly to get someone's attention.
"The coach hollowed his players to run faster during the final lap."
Usage: Use "beat hollow" with an adverbial sense meaning completely exhausted rather than describing physical emptiness. Avoid confusing this verb form with the adjective, which simply describes having an internal void.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
"a hollow wall"
"a hollow tree"
"hollow cheeks"
"his face became gaunter and more hollow with each year"
Having an empty space or cavity inside.
"The old tree trunk was hollow, allowing a small bird to build its nest inside."
In plain English: Something hollow has nothing on the inside.
"The old tree had a hollow trunk perfect for hiding treasures."
Completely, as part of the phrase beat hollow or beat all hollow.
"The drummers hammered the gong until it was beaten completely hollow."
In plain English: Having nothing on the inside.
"The drummer's relentless rhythm beat all hollow, filling the concert hall with an unsettling pulse."
Alternative form of hollo
"The old sailor shouted hollow to warn his crew of the approaching storm."
The word "hollow" comes from the Old English term for a hollow space or depression. It traveled into modern English through Middle English while retaining its original meaning of an empty cavity.