Your veins are the thin tubes in your body through which your blood flows towards your heart. Compare artery.
Many veins are found just under the skin.
Synonyms: blood vessel More Synonyms of vein
2. See also varicose vein
3. countable noun [usually singular, usually adjective NOUN]
Something that is written or spoken in a particular vein is written or spoken in that style or mood.
It is one of his finest works in a lighter vein.
The girl now replies in similar vein.
4. countable noun [usually singular]
A veinof a particular quality is evidence of that quality which someone often shows in their behaviour or work.
The striker's rich vein of form this season has seen him net 32 goals.
This Spanish drama has a vein of black humour running through it. [+ of]
Synonyms: streak, element, thread, suggestion More Synonyms of vein
5. countable noun
A veinof a particular metal or mineral is a layer of it lying in rock.
...a vein of copper.
...a rich and deep vein of limestone. [+ of]
6. countable noun
The veins on a leaf are the thin lines on it.
...the serrated edges and veins of the feathery leaves. [+ of]
More Synonyms of vein
vein in British English
(veɪn)
noun
1.
any of the tubular vessels that convey oxygen-depleted blood to the heart
Compare pulmonary vein, artery ▶ Related adjective: venous
2.
any of the hollow branching tubes that form the supporting framework of an insect's wing
3.
any of the vascular strands of a leaf
4.
a clearly defined mass of ore, mineral, etc, filling a fault or fracture, often with a tabular or sheetlike shape
5.
an irregular streak of colour or alien substance in marble, wood, or other material
6.
a natural underground watercourse
7.
a crack or fissure
8.
a distinctive trait or quality in speech, writing, character, etc; strain
a vein of humour
9.
a temporary disposition, attitude, or temper; mood
the debate entered a frivolous vein
10. Irish
a parting in hair
verb(transitive)
11.
to diffuse over or cause to diffuse over in streaked patterns
12.
to fill, furnish, or mark with or as if with veins
Derived forms
veinal (ˈveinal)
adjective
veinless (ˈveinless)
adjective
veinlike (ˈveinˌlike)
adjective
veiny (ˈveiny)
adjective
Word origin
C13: from Old French veine, from Latin vēna
vein in American English
(veɪn)
noun
1.
a.
any blood vessel that carries blood from some part of the body back toward the heart
b. Loosely
any blood vessel
see also artery, capillary
2.
any of the riblike supports strengthening the membranous wings of an insect
3.
any of the bundles of vascular tissue forming the framework of a leaf blade
4.
a more or less continuous body of minerals, igneous or sedimentary rock, etc., occupying a fissure or zone, differing in nature from the enclosing rock, and usually deposited from solution by circulating water
5.
lode (senses 1 & 2)
6.
a streak or marking of a color or substance different from the surrounding material, as in marble or wood
7.
a.
any distinctive quality or strain regarded as running through one's character, or a speech, writing, etc.
a vein of humor in the essay
b.
course or tenor of thought, feeling, action, etc.
8.
a temporary state of mind; mood
speaking in a serious vein
verb transitive
9.
to streak or mark with or as with veins
10.
to branch out through in the manner of veins
SIMILAR WORDS: mood
Word origin
ME veine < OFr < L vena
Examples of 'vein' in a sentence
vein
They also help if the veins ache or cause swollen ankles.
The Sun (2016)
We would love to hit a rich vein of form and blow teams away.
The Sun (2012)
She had sun damage and thread veins caused by decades of sunbathing.
The Sun (2011)
Those vessels that carry blood from other organs towards the heart are called veins.
Petch, Dr Michael BMA Family Doctor Guide - Heart Disease (1989)
There were others in a similar vein.
The Sun (2014)
There was blood in the veins of the body politic and on the floor.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The striker is in a rich vein of form with five goals in eight games.
The Sun (2010)
So it opens up a whole new set of varicose veins.
The Sun (2011)
The fly half needs to play with fire in his belly and cold blood in his veins.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The second half began in a similar vein.
The Sun (2013)
This may lead to problems such as deep vein thrombosis which are more likely the older you get.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Her daft garb was so uncomfortable it brought on the early stages of the potentially deadly deep vein thrombosis.
The Sun (2010)
There's a rich vein of humour too.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
When the Press discover a rich vein they naturally exhaust it.
The Sun (2013)
We hear many tales of goalscorers being in a rich vein where they hit the back of the net with almost monotonous regularity.
Tibballs, Geoff Great Sporting Failures (1993)
Beneath the loose skin on the back of her hand, the veins twisted like thin, blue worms.
Zindell, David The Broken God (1993)
A small length of vein or artery is taken from elsewhere in the body and grafted on to the cardiac artery, bypassing the blocked section.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
vein
British English: vein /veɪn/ NOUN
Your veins are the tubes in your body through which your blood flows towards your heart.
Many veins are found just under the skin.
American English: vein
Arabic: وَرِيد
Brazilian Portuguese: veia
Chinese: 静脉
Croatian: vena
Czech: žíla
Danish: blodåre
Dutch: ader
European Spanish: vena
Finnish: verisuoni
French: veine
German: Vene
Greek: φλέβα
Italian: vena
Japanese: 静脈
Korean: 정맥
Norwegian: blodåre
Polish: żyła
European Portuguese: veia
Romanian: venă
Russian: вена
Latin American Spanish: vena
Swedish: ven
Thai: เส้นโลหิตดำ
Turkish: damar
Ukrainian: вена
Vietnamese: huyết quản
All related terms of 'vein'
blue vein
Australian and New Zealand → another name for blue cheese
broken vein
a ruptured blood vessel
portal vein
any vein connecting two capillary networks , esp in the liver ( hepatic portal vein )
spider vein
one of a radiating network of dilated capillaries on the skin
thread vein
a small red or purple capillary near to the surface of the skin
basilic vein
a large vein situated on the inner side of the arm
jugular vein
any of three large veins of the neck that return blood to the heart from the head and face
varicose vein
Varicose veins are swollen and painful veins in a person's legs , which sometimes require a medical operation .
pulmonary vein
any one of the four veins that convey oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the heart
deep-vein thromboses
a blood clot in one of the major veins , usually in the legs or pelvis ; can be caused by prolonged sitting in the same position, as on long-haul air flights
deep vein thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis is a serious medical condition caused by blood clots in the legs moving up to the lungs . The abbreviation → DVT is also used.
hepatic portal vein
a vein connecting two capillary networks in the liver
DVT
DVT is a serious medical condition caused by blood clots in the legs moving up to the lungs . DVT is an abbreviation for 'deep vein thrombosis'.
Chinese translation of 'vein'
vein
(veɪn)
n(c)
(in body) 静(靜)脉(脈) (jìngmài) (条(條), tiáo)
[of leaf]叶(葉)脉(脈) (yèmài)
[of metal, mineral]矿(礦)脉(脈) (kuàngmài)
(= mood, style) 风(風)格 (fēnggé)
1 (noun)
Definition
any of the tubes that carry blood to the heart
Many veins are found just under the skin.
Synonyms
blood vessel
He's ruptured a blood vessel.
2 (noun)
Definition
a temporary mood
He also wrote several works in a lighter vein.
Synonyms
mood
You are clearly in a good mood today.
style
six scenes in the style of a classical Greek tragedy
spirit
A bit of exercise will help lift his spirits.
way
He had a strange way of talking.
turn
note
key
character
There is a side to his character which you haven't seen yet.
attitude
the general change in attitude towards them
atmosphere
The muted decor adds to the relaxed atmosphere.
tone
The tone of the letter was very friendly.
manner
The manner in which young children are spoken to depends on who is present.
bent
stamp
humour
Could that have been the source of his good humour?
tendency
He has a tendency towards snobbery.
mode
the capitalist mode of production
temper
He's known for his placid temper.
temperament
His impulsive temperament regularly got him into difficulties.
tenor
inclination
She set out to follow her artistic inclinations.
disposition
his friendly and cheerful disposition
frame of mind
She was not in the right frame of mind to continue.
3 (noun)
Definition
a distinctive trait or quality in speech or writing
The song has a vein of black humour running through it.
Synonyms
streak
He's still got a mean streak.
element
There is an element of truth in his accusation.
thread
suggestion
that fashionably faint suggestion of a tan
strain
There was a strain of bitterness in his voice.
trace
Wash them in cold water to remove all traces of sand.
hint
I glanced at her and saw no hint of irony on her face.
dash
Add a dash of balsamic vinegar.
trait
sprinkling
a light sprinkling of snow
nuance
Our eyes can communicate virtually every subtle nuance of emotion.
smattering
a smattering of Greek grammar
4 (noun)
Definition
a clearly defined layer of ore or mineral in rock
a rich deep vein of copper in the rock
Synonyms
seam
The average UK coal seam is one metre thick.
layer
Critics and the public puzzle out the layers of meaning in his photos.
stratum
The rock strata show that the region was intensely dry 15,000 years ago.
course
current
bed
deposit
streak
There are these dark streaks on the surface of the moon.
stripe
lode
related words
technical namevena
related adjectivevenous
Additional synonyms
in the sense of atmosphere
Definition
a pervasive feeling or mood
The muted decor adds to the relaxed atmosphere.
Synonyms
feeling,
feel,
air,
quality,
character,
environment,
spirit,
surroundings,
tone,
mood,
climate,
flavour,
aura,
ambience,
vibes (slang)
in the sense of attitude
Definition
the way a person thinks and behaves
the general change in attitude towards them
Synonyms
opinion,
thinking,
feeling,
thought,
view,
position,
approach,
belief,
mood,
perspective,
point of view,
stance,
outlook,
viewpoint,
slant,
frame of mind
in the sense of character
Definition
the combination of qualities distinguishing an individual person, group of people, or place
There is a side to his character which you haven't seen yet.
Synonyms
personality,
nature,
make-up,
cast,
constitution,
bent,
attributes,
temper,
kidney,
temperament,
complexion,
disposition,
individuality,
marked traits
Synonyms of 'vein'
vein
Explore 'vein' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of dash
Definition
a small amount
Add a dash of balsamic vinegar.
Synonyms
drop,
little,
bit,
shot (informal),
touch,
spot (British),
suggestion,
trace,
hint,
pinch,
sprinkling,
tot,
trickle,
nip,
tinge,
soupçon
in the sense of disposition
Definition
a person's usual temperament
his friendly and cheerful disposition
Synonyms
character,
nature,
spirit,
make-up,
constitution,
temper,
temperament
in the sense of element
Definition
a degree
There is an element of truth in his accusation.
Synonyms
trace,
suggestion,
hint,
dash,
suspicion,
tinge,
smattering,
soupçon
in the sense of frame of mind
Definition
a state of mind
She was not in the right frame of mind to continue.
Synonyms
mood,
state,
spirit,
attitude,
humour,
temper,
outlook,
disposition,
mind-set,
fettle
in the sense of hint
Definition
a small amount
I glanced at her and saw no hint of irony on her face.
Synonyms
trace,
touch,
suggestion,
taste,
breath,
dash,
whisper,
suspicion,
tinge,
whiff,
speck,
undertone,
soupçon
in the sense of humour
Definition
a state of mind
Could that have been the source of his good humour?
Synonyms
mood,
spirits,
temper,
disposition,
frame of mind
in the sense of inclination
Definition
a liking, tendency, or preference
She set out to follow her artistic inclinations.
Synonyms
tendency,
liking,
taste,
turn,
fancy,
leaning,
bent,
stomach,
prejudice,
bias,
affection,
thirst,
disposition,
penchant,
fondness,
propensity,
aptitude,
predisposition,
predilection,
proclivity (formal),
partiality,
turn of mind,
proneness
in the sense of layer
Critics and the public puzzle out the layers of meaning in his photos.
Synonyms
tier,
level,
seam,
stratum
in the sense of manner
Definition
the style or customary way of doing something
The manner in which young children are spoken to depends on who is present.
Synonyms
style,
way,
fashion,
method,
means,
form,
process,
approach,
practice,
procedure,
habit,
custom,
routine,
mode,
genre,
tack,
tenor,
usage,
wont
in the sense of mode
Definition
a manner or way of doing, acting, or existing
the capitalist mode of production
Synonyms
method,
way,
plan,
course,
system,
form,
state,
process,
condition,
style,
approach,
quality,
practice,
fashion,
technique,
manner,
procedure,
custom,
vein
Additional synonyms
in the sense of nuance
Definition
a subtle difference, as in colour, meaning, or tone
Our eyes can communicate virtually every subtle nuance of emotion.
Synonyms
subtlety,
degree,
distinction,
graduation,
refinement,
nicety,
gradation,
suggestion,
trace,
hint,
shade
in the sense of smattering
Definition
a slight or superficial knowledge
a smattering of Greek grammar
Synonyms
modicum,
dash,
rudiments,
bit,
elements,
sprinkling,
passing acquaintance,
nodding acquaintance,
smatter
in the sense of spirit
Definition
mood or attitude
A bit of exercise will help lift his spirits.
Synonyms
mood,
feelings,
morale,
humour,
temper,
tenor,
disposition,
state of mind,
frame of mind
in the sense of sprinkling
Definition
a small quantity or amount
a light sprinkling of snow
Synonyms
scattering,
dusting,
scatter,
few,
dash,
handful,
sprinkle,
smattering,
admixture
in the sense of strain
Definition
a trace or streak
There was a strain of bitterness in his voice.
Synonyms
trace,
suggestion,
suspicion,
tendency,
streak,
trait
in the sense of stratum
Definition
any of the distinct layers into which certain rocks are divided
The rock strata show that the region was intensely dry 15,000 years ago.
Synonyms
layer,
level,
seam,
table,
bed,
vein,
tier,
stratification,
lode
in the sense of style
Definition
a form of appearance, design, or production
six scenes in the style of a classical Greek tragedy
Synonyms
type,
sort,
kind,
spirit,
pattern,
variety,
appearance,
tone,
strain,
category,
characteristic,
genre,
tenor
in the sense of suggestion
that fashionably faint suggestion of a tan
Synonyms
trace,
touch,
hint,
shadow,
impression,
breath,
indication,
whisper,
suspicion,
ghost,
intimation
in the sense of temper
Definition
a person's frame of mind
He's known for his placid temper.
Synonyms
frame of mind,
character,
nature,
attitude,
mind,
mood,
constitution,
humour,
vein,
temperament,
tenor,
disposition
in the sense of temperament
Definition
a person's character or disposition
His impulsive temperament regularly got him into difficulties.
Synonyms
nature,
character,
personality,
quality,
spirit,
make-up,
soul,
constitution,
bent,
stamp,
humour,
tendencies,
tendency,
temper,
outlook,
complexion,
disposition,
frame of mind,
mettle,
cast of mind
Additional synonyms
in the sense of tendency
Definition
an inclination to act in a particular way
He has a tendency towards snobbery.
Synonyms
inclination,
leaning,
bent,
liability,
readiness,
disposition,
penchant,
propensity,
susceptibility,
predisposition,
predilection,
proclivity (formal),
partiality,
proneness
in the sense of tone
Definition
general aspect, quality, or style
The tone of the letter was very friendly.
Synonyms
character,
style,
approach,
feel,
air,
effect,
note,
quality,
spirit,
attitude,
aspect,
frame,
manner,
mood,
drift,
grain,
temper,
vein,
tenor
in the sense of trace
Definition
an amount of something so small that it is barely noticeable
Wash them in cold water to remove all traces of sand.