noun
Uncommon
fin
fihn
Fin (noun) means one of the flat, wing-like parts on a fish or marine animal used for swimming and steering. Example: “The shark's dorsal fin sliced through the surface of the water.”
noun
1
One of the flat, wing-like parts on a fish or marine animal used for swimming and steering.
"The shark's dorsal fin sliced through the surface of the water."
"The goldfish flicked its tiny fin and darted behind the plant."
"An injured dolphin struggled because one fin had been damaged by a net."
2
A rigid, blade-like part sticking out from an aircraft, rocket, or vehicle to help it stay stable or steer.
"The tail fin keeps the aircraft flying straight."
"Engineers checked each fin on the rocket before the test launch."
"The racing car has a large fin behind the driver for better stability."
3
A flipper worn on the foot for swimming or diving.
"She strapped on her fins before jumping into the pool."
"The diving instructor told us to check that each fin fitted snugly."
"I kicked hard with my fins to reach the boat quickly."
How to use fin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe part of a fish (or a similar blade-like structure on planes, rockets, or diving gear) used for movement or stability.
Common pairings
dorsal fin
shark fin
a pair of fins
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Word forms
- Plural
- fins
- Third person singular
- fins
- Past tense
- finned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The shark's dorsal _____ sliced through the surface of the water.
Etymology
From Old English finn, from a Germanic root meaning "dorsal fin," ultimately tied to an ancient word for "backbone."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “fin” mean?
The word “fin” means one of the flat, wing-like parts on a fish or marine animal used for swimming and steering. In plain terms, the part of a fish (or a similar blade-like structure on planes, rockets, or diving gear) used for movement or stability.
How do you pronounce “fin”?
“Fin” is pronounced fihn (/fɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “fin” in a sentence?
Here is “fin” used in a sentence: “The shark's dorsal fin sliced through the surface of the water.”
What is another word for “fin”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fin” include vane and Mohican.
What part of speech is “fin”?
“Fin” is a noun.
Where does the word “fin” come from?
The word “fin” comes from Old English. From Old English finn, from a Germanic root meaning "dorsal fin," ultimately tied to an ancient word for "backbone.".
Is “fin” a common word?
“Fin” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “fin” have?
“Fin” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: one of the flat, wing-like parts on a fish or marine animal used for swimming and steering.
What is the difference between a fin and a flipper?
A fin is typically a rigid or semi-rigid body part, such as those on fish, sharks, or aircraft, used for steering and stability. A flipper more often refers to a broad, paddle-shaped limb, like those on seals or turtles, or the equipment worn on a diver's foot, which overlaps with one meaning of fin.
What does it mean when a plane has fins?
On an aircraft or rocket, a fin is a rigid, blade-like structure that sticks out to help the vehicle stay stable and steer during flight. Tail fins in particular help keep the aircraft's nose pointed in the right direction.
Why do divers wear fins?
Divers and swimmers wear fins on their feet to increase the surface area pushed against the water, giving them more propulsion and control with each kick. This makes swimming and diving faster and less tiring than using bare feet alone.
