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

• faintly adverb
• faintness noun
• faintishness noun
• faintish adjective
• faintingly adverb
• fainter 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

“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” is not for the faint of heart.

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Buying a home at 58 is not for the faint of heart but, as you have discovered, neither is renting.

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The Yankees managed to win a single game only because Judge hit a clutch home run to spark a dramatic comeback that provided a faint glimmer of hope.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

But while the revelation that brings the play to a painful climax has a faint whiff of contrivance about it, the angry confrontation that ensues between Nelson and Nick has a bruising, brutal power.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Is there the faintest suggestion in the room that, if you do this, you won’t get older?

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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