What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fin
Example
The shark's dorsal fin sliced through the water as it swam. [fin: noun]
Example
The airplane's tail fin helped keep it stable during turbulence. [fin: noun]
wing
Example
The bird flapped its wings and took off into the sky. [wings: noun]
Example
The airplane's wings allowed it to soar through the clouds. [wings: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wing is more commonly used than fin in everyday language. Wing is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fin is less common and mainly used in aquatic or nautical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fin and wing?
Both fin and wing can be used in formal and informal contexts, but fin may be more associated with technical or specialized language due to its association with aquatic or nautical terminology.