vernier

V4E1R1N1I1E1R1
/ˈvɚniːɹ/

noun

A secondary scale with finer graduations than the primary scale of a measuring device; the vernier measures between graduations of the larger scale.

Similar
vernier scale
OriginFrench vernier →
UncommonScrabble 10
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Meanings

vernier1

nounvernier (plural verniers)

plural verniers

  1. A secondary scale with finer graduations than the primary scale of a measuring device; the vernier measures between graduations of the larger scale.
  2. A secondary control input with finer control than the primary, or coarse, input; for example the vernier frequency tuning knob on a radio.
  3. natural sciencesA secondary system of force application for the attitude control of a spacecraft; for example a vernier thruster.

Vernier2

proper nounVernier (plural Verniers)

plural Verniers

  1. A surname.

Synonyms & antonyms

nouna small movable scale that slides along a main scale; the small scale is calibrated to indicate fractional divisions of the main scale

Similar
vernier scale
Broader
scale

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Frenchvernier
  2. Englishvernier

Borrowed from French vernier. From Pierre Vernier, the inventor.

More words from French

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

verrine
Cite this entry
APA

vernier. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/vernier

MLA

“vernier.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/vernier. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “vernier,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/vernier.

Source: vernier on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.