Vain vs. Vane: What's the Difference?
Although vain and vane are homophones, meaning they sound alike, they have entirely distinct meanings and functions in a sentence. Vain is commonly used as an adjective to describe someone with excessive pride in their appearance or achievements. In contrast, vane is a noun that refers to a device that shows the direction of the wind, such as a weather vane.
How do you use the word vain in a sentence?
The word vain is used to describe someone who has an excessive belief in their own abilities or attractiveness to others. It can also refer to actions that are futile or without meaningful result. You'll often find it in contexts related to personality, personal achievements, and discussions about the effectiveness of actions.
Examples of vain in a sentence
- Despite the considerable time and money spent on the project, it turned out to be a vain effort.
- She was often criticized for being vain, always checking her reflection in every mirror she passed.
- He made a vain attempt to convince the jury, but the evidence was overwhelmingly against him.
How do you use the word vane in a sentence?
Vane is generally used in discussions related to meteorology or as a part of a colloquial or descriptive term. It refers to the flat device, often decorative and installed on rooftops, which rotates to indicate wind direction and is a staple in traditional weather stations.
Examples of vane in a sentence
- The rooster-shaped weather vane spun wildly during the storm, indicating the changing directions of the wind.
- As the wind picked up, the vane on top of the barn started to creak from constant movement.
- Her grandfather had an antique collection of various vanes that had adorned rural homes in the countryside.
Vain and vane definition, parts of speech, and pronunciation
Vain definition:
Vain (adjective): having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth; producing no result; useless.
Vain parts of speech:
Vain pronunciation:
The word 'vain' is pronounced as /veɪn/.
Vane definition:
Vane (noun): a flat piece of material mounted on a spindle and rotating with the wind to show its direction.
Vane parts of speech:
Vane pronunciation:
The word 'vane' is pronounced as /veɪn/.
Vain (adjective): having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth; producing no result; useless.
Vain parts of speech:
- As an adjective: Her vain attempt to reach the summit was hindered by the worsening weather conditions.
Vain pronunciation:
The word 'vain' is pronounced as /veɪn/.
Vane definition:
Vane (noun): a flat piece of material mounted on a spindle and rotating with the wind to show its direction.
Vane parts of speech:
- As a noun: The old weathervane included a vane in the shape of a ship that would spin in the wind.
Vane pronunciation:
The word 'vane' is pronounced as /veɪn/.
Vain vs. Vane in a nutshell
In essence, while vain describes a character trait of self-absorption or a futile action, vane is a physical object used to measure wind direction. Both have the same pronunciation but are applied in entirely different contexts. Recognizing the distinction between these two terms is key to their correct usage and understanding their meanings.
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