vent

An opening that lets air, gas, or smoke pass through.

• Cold air came through the vent.
• Keep the kitchen vents clean.
• Steam escaped through a small vent in the lid.

Similar words: opening, air hole

Common phrases: air vent, heating vent, vent in something

A short opening along a joined edge of clothing that allows easier movement.

• The jacket has a back vent.
• A side vent makes the skirt easier to walk in.
• Both vents in his coat had been sewn shut.

Similar words: slit

Common phrases: back vent, side vent, jacket vent

To express strong feelings, especially anger, by talking or acting openly.

• I needed to vent after work.
• She vented her frustration by writing in her diary.
• He unfairly vented his anger on the waiter.

How to use it: vent something on someone (Do not vent your anger on the children.); vent to someone (She called a friend to vent to him about her day.)

Similar words: let out, express

Opposites: suppress

Common phrases: vent your anger, vent your frustration, vent to someone

To release gas, air, or smoke from something through an opening.

• The valve vents excess steam.
• Workers vented the gas through a long pipe.
• The system vents exhaust outside the building.

How to use it: vent something into/to something (The pipe vents fumes into the outside air.)

Similar words: release, discharge

Common phrases: vent exhaust, vent steam, vent something outside

To let old air out of a space and fresh air in.

• Open the windows to vent the room.
• The builders installed a fan to vent the attic.
• This basement needs to be vented regularly.

Similar words: ventilate, air

Common phrases: vent a room, vent the attic, vent a space

To let gas, air, or smoke escape, often through a pipe or opening.

• The stove vents outside.
• Hot air vents through a pipe in the roof.
• The tank vented safely as its pressure rose.

How to use it: vent to/through something (The heater vents to the outside through this pipe.)

Common phrases: vent outside, vent to something, vent through something