faint

American  

[feynt] / feɪnt /

adjective

fainter, faintest

1. lacking brightness, vividness, clearness, loudness, strength, etc..

   a faint light;

   a faint color;

   a faint sound.

   Synonyms:

   dull, dim, ill-defined, indistinct

2. feeble or slight.

   faint resistance;

   faint praise;

   a faint resemblance.

   Synonyms:

   weak, irresolute

3. feeling weak, dizzy, or exhausted; about to lose consciousness.

   faint with hunger.

   Synonyms:

   languid

4. lacking courage; cowardly; timorous.

   Faint heart never won fair maid.

   Synonyms:

   dastardly, timid, fearful, pusillanimous

5. Law. unfounded.

   a faint action.

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verb (used without object)

1. to lose consciousness temporarily.

2. to lose brightness.

3. Archaic. to grow weak; lose spirit or courage.

noun

1. a temporary loss of consciousness resulting from a decreased flow of blood to the brain; a swoon.

   to fall into a faint.

faint British  

/ feɪnt /

adjective

1. lacking clarity, brightness, volume, etc

   a faint noise

2. lacking conviction or force; weak

   faint praise

3. feeling dizzy or weak as if about to lose consciousness

4. without boldness or courage; timid (esp in the combination faint-hearted )

5. no idea whatsoever

   I haven't the faintest

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verb

1. to lose consciousness, esp momentarily, as through weakness

2. archaic to fail or become weak, esp in hope or courage

noun

1. Technical name: syncope.  a sudden spontaneous loss of consciousness, usually momentary, caused by an insufficient supply of blood to the brain

faint Idioms  

1. see damn with faint praise.

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Other Word Forms

• fainter noun
• faintingly adverb
• faintish adjective
• faintishness noun
• faintly adverb
• faintness noun
• overfaint adjective
• overfaintly adverb
• overfaintness noun
• unfainting adjective
• unfaintly adverb

Etymology

Origin of faint

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French: literally, “feigned,” past participle of faindre, feindre “to feign”; feign

Example Sentences

Symptoms can include a racing heartbeat; feeling faint, dizzy or light-headed; feeling very hot or very cold; sweating, trembling or shaking; feeling sick; chest and stomach pain; and struggling to breathe and shaking legs.

From BBC

While Hubble clearly resolved these pieces, ground-based telescopes could only detect them as faint, barely separated points of light.

From Science Daily

To have a go at spotting the lights, look to the north for a faint glow at first and, if you can't see the colours, try through a camera lens or on your phone.

From BBC

When people try to focus on a faint sound, many instinctively shut their eyes.

From Science Daily

The young woman’s face was white as chalk; twice before they reached the car, I thought she would faint.

From Literature

Related Words

• delicate
• dim
• distant
• dull
• far-off
• gentle
• hazy
• inaudible
• mild
• muffled
• muted
• remote
• slight
• soft
• soothing
• stifled
• vague
• weak