vane
3 synonyms 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
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
weather vane
turbine vane
vane of a feather
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.
