Vanir

[ vah-nir ]

/ ˈvɑ nɪr /

Save This Word!

noun (often lowercase)(used with a plural verb)Scandinavian Mythology.

a race of gods, first in conflict with the Aesir, later allied with them. They function as fertility divinities and include Njord, Frey, and Freyja.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Vanir

<Old Norse, probably from the same root as vinr friend, Latin VenusVenus, Sanskrit vánas desire

Words nearby Vanir

vanillic, vanillin, vanillism, vanillylmandelic acid, vanillylmandelic acid test, Vanir, vanish, vanishing cream, vanishing lung syndrome, vanishing point, vanitas

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use Vanir in a sentence

At the world's dissolution, he will return to the wise Vanir.
The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson|Saemund Sigfusson and Snorre Sturleson
Who is this of the Alfar's, or of the Æsir's sons, or of the wise Vanir's?
The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson|Saemund Sigfusson and Snorre Sturleson
But the Vanir gave him as hostage to the Æsir, receiving from them in his stead Hoenir.
The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson|Saemund Sigfusson and Snorre Sturleson
By this means was peace re-established between the Æsir and Vanir.
The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson|Saemund Sigfusson and Snorre Sturleson

The deities with which we have just been dealing were collectively known as Vanir.
The Heroic Age|H. Munro Chadwick

British Dictionary definitions for Vanir

Vanir

/ (ˈvɑːnɪə) /

noun

Norse myth a race of ancient gods often locked in struggle with the Aesir. The most notable of them are Njord and his children Frey and Freya

Word Origin for Vanir

from Old Norse Vanr, a fertility god

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012