faint
[ feynt ]
/ feɪnt /
Save This Word!
adjective, faint·er, faint·est.
verb (used without object)
noun
a temporary loss of consciousness resulting from a decreased flow of blood to the brain; a swoon: to fall into a faint.
OTHER WORDS FOR faint
3 languid.
6 pass out, black out.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Origin of faint
1250–1300; Middle English <Anglo-French, Old French, past participle of faindre, variant of feindre to feign
OTHER WORDS FROM faint
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use faint in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for faint
faint
/ (feɪnt) /
adjective
verb (intr)
to lose consciousness, esp momentarily, as through weakness
archaic, or poetic to fail or become weak, esp in hope or courage
noun
a sudden spontaneous loss of consciousness, usually momentary, caused by an insufficient supply of blood to the brainTechnical name: syncope
Derived forms of faint
Word Origin for faint
C13: from Old French, from faindre to be idle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with faint
faint
see damn with faint praise.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.