faint

[feynt]

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.

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

/ 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

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of faint¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of faint¹

C13: from Old French, from faindre to be idle

Idioms and Phrases

see damn with faint praise.

Example Sentences

Aside from the faint path seen in two satellite images in June, the property seemed ignored.

Read more on BBC

Images broadcast on television showed people fainting in the packed crowds.

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Amie said she soon felt unwell after the Caesarean section, feeling faint with low blood pressure.

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The faint warning is easily missed by most viewers, but it appears every 10 minutes, alerting the projectionist to change the reel.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She was found by chance when a shepherd, who had taken his goats to the area for grazing, heard faint cries coming from under a mound of earth.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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