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weathercock

A weather vane, sometimes in the form of a cockerel.

ˈwɛðɚˌkɑkCurrent116 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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3 definitions
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#1·Apr 27, 2026

A weather vane, sometimes in the form of a cockerel.

Origin: From , weþercok, wedercoc, wederkok, equivalent to. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

"weathercock" means: A weather vane, sometimes in the form of a cockerel.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"weathercock" means: A weather vane, sometimes in the form of a cockerel.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.

Heard in the wild
  • “Wordless Wednesday - Weathercock wrookieschu.com/2026/05/06/w... #WordlessWednesday #Photography”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(figuratively) One who veers with every change of current opinion; a fickle, inconstant person.

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#3·Apr 27, 2026

(mostly, North America) A kind of wind pump whose top behaves like a weather vane, moving with the wind direction, but which also has a wheel attached to measure wind speed.

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For specific readers

"weathercock" means: A weather vane, sometimes in the form of a cockerel.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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