Vain, Vein and Vane
A vein is a blood vessel or a distinctive style.
Vain means self admiring or futile. (The term in vain (as in to try in vain) means without success).
A vane is a stabilizing fin or blade.
Vain means self admiring or futile. (The term in vain (as in to try in vain) means without success).
A vane is a stabilizing fin or blade.
Vein, Vain, and Vane
The words vein, vain, and vane sound identical, but their meanings are very different.Vein
The noun vein has several meanings:A blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries towards the heart.
varicose veins A distinctive style or manner.
- Mr Mellor continued in the same vein despite several reprimands.
mineral vein running
The ribs that support an insect's wing.
veins in an insect's wing
Vain
The adjective vain means conceited or self admiring. Vain can also mean fruitless. In this meaning, it is often seen as in vain meaning without success or in a futile manner.Examples:
- Petra is so vain. She spends half her time looking in the mirror.
- I tried in vain to pull the boat ashore, but it was just too heavy.
Vane
The noun vane denotes a blade or a fin usually used to stabilize an object in the air or in water. It is most commonly seen in the word weathervane.Examples:
- The stabilizing vane has come loose.
- The steel casing protects the vane from damage in the event that the vessel hits the rocks.
weathervane
A Quick Test
Common Terms with Vain
The word vain (meaning futile or producing no result) is often seen in the following terms:- To try in vain
- A vain attempt
- To do something in vain
- A vain hope
- A vain person
- You're so vain.
Common Terms with Vein
The word vein (meaning the tubes forming part of the blood circulation system) is often seen in the following terms:- vein blockage
- vein bruise
- vein burst
- vein collapse
- vein cream
- vein graft
- vein infection
- vein in leg
- vein removal
- vein thrombosis
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