weathervane

Rooftop direction indicator

A weathervane is a device mounted on a rooftop or high point that pivots to show wind direction, typically featuring an arrow or decorative figure like a rooster.

Figuratively, a weathervane is someone whose opinions shift with prevailing sentiment: Critics called the senator a political weathervane.

rooftop

cupola

Small rooftop dome

  • steeplePointed church tower
  • spireTapering architectural peak
  • barnAgricultural storage structure

farmhouse · church · tower · finial · mounting · bracket · pedestal · silhouette · ornament · pinnacle

wind

breeze

Light, gentle air movement

  • gustBrief wind surge
  • zephyrMild, gentle breeze
  • galeSevere sustained wind

squall · direction · arrow · spinner · rotation · swivel · pivot · airflow · prevailing · shifting

indicator

barometer

Instrument gauging atmospheric pressure

  • forecastPrediction of future conditions
  • omenProphetic indicator
  • signMark conveying information

signal · portent · harbinger · bellwether · predictor · gauge · marker · telltale · political · sentiment

metalwork

copper

Reddish-brown metallic element

bronze · patina · verdigris · forged · hammered · smithing · cutout · silhouette · gilded · rust

direction

north

Arctic-facing cardinal direction

  • southCardinal direction opposite north
  • eastSunrise cardinal point
  • westCardinal direction toward sunset

northeast · northwest · southeast · southwest · cardinal · compass · pointing · orientation · bearing · directional

Categories
Opposites
metaphorical constancy

weathervanerock

Solid earthen material

stalwart · pillar · anchor · true believer · ideologue

meteorological instrument function

weathervaneanemometer

Instrument measuring air velocity

barometer · thermometer · wind sock · hygrometer · rain gauge

Phrases
Family

weathervanes

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G