Meaning & use
weathervane
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A pointer on a roof that turns with the wind to show wind direction.
Grammar: Countable; often one word, though weather vane is also seen.
Patterns
- a rooftop weathervane
- the weathervane turns
- weathervane points north
The weathervane above the barn turned toward the east.
A rooster-shaped weathervane showed the wind had shifted.
nouncountablefigurative
A person, group, or indicator that quickly changes position as opinion changes.
Grammar: Figurative countable use; suggests opportunism rather than weather.
Patterns
- a political weathervane
- a weathervane of opinion
The senator became a weathervane, turning with every poll.
Markets can act as a weathervane for public confidence.
Word forms
| plural | weathervanes |
|---|
Common combinations
- rooftop weathervane
- The rooftop weathervane creaked in the storm.
- weathervane turns
- When the weathervane turns south, the temperature usually drops.
- political weathervane
- Critics called the editorial page a political weathervane.
Synonyms and how they differ
- wind vane
- Wind vane is the plainer technical name for the instrument.
- opportunist
- An opportunist is a person, not an instrument, and stresses self-interest.
Commonly confused: weathervane or vane?
weathervane vs vane
A vane is a blade or pointer; vain means conceited, and vein carries blood.
Practice
The ___ on the roof swung around when the storm arrived.
Choose one answer.
The instrument showing wind direction is spelled weathervane or weather vane; vain and vein are homophone traps.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “weathervane”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.