vain, vein and vane - the difference

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VAIN / VEIN / VANE

(1) A vein is a blood vessel or a distinctive style. (2) Vain means 'self admiring' or 'futile'. The term 'in vain' means 'without success'. (3) A vane is a stabilizing fin or blade.

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.

veins varicose veins

A distinctive style or manner.

Mr Mellor continued in the same vein despite several reprimands.

A layer of ore or mineral between layers of rock.

mineral vein running
through rock

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.

weather vane

Associated lessons:

What are adjectives?
What are nouns?
What are verbs?
List of easily confused words