vane
2 synonyms and 0 antonyms for vane, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A device mounted on a roof or pole that turns to show which way the wind is blowing.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use vane
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English fana, "cloth, banner, flag," the same root that gave German Fahne. The weather-vane sense comes from early flag-like devices used to show wind direction before the familiar spinning arrow design took over.
Full origin of vane →Frequently asked questions
What does “vane” mean?
The word “vane” means a device mounted on a roof or pole that turns to show which way the wind is blowing. In plain terms, a vane is something that catches and shows the direction of moving air (or water) — from a rooftop weathercock to the angled blades inside a turbine.
How do you pronounce “vane”?
“Vane” is pronounced vayn (/veɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “vane” in a sentence?
Here is “vane” used in a sentence: “The weather vane on the barn swung around to point north as the front moved in.”
What part of speech is “vane”?
“Vane” is a noun.
Where does the word “vane” come from?
The word “vane” comes from Old English.
How many meanings does “vane” have?
“Vane” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a device mounted on a roof or pole that turns to show which way the wind is blowing.