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faint

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faint
adjective
ˈfānt
faint​er; faint​est

Definition (Entry 1 of 3)

  • hardly perceptible dim //faint handwriting
    vague sense 2a //haven't the faintest idea
  • weak, dizzy, and likely to faint //… sick and faint from the pain … — Jack London
  • lacking courage and spirit cowardly //faint of heart
  • lacking strength or vigor performed, offered, or accomplished weakly or languidly //faint praise //a faint smile on her lips
  • producing a sensation of faintness oppressive //the faint atmosphere of a tropical port
verb
faint​ed; faint​ing; faints

Definition (Entry 2 of 3)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • to lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain
  • archaic to lose courage or spirit
  • archaic to become weak
noun

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Other Words
Adjective
  • faint​ish ˈfān-tish adjective
  • faint​ish​ness noun
  • faint​ly adverb
  • faint​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Adjective
blear bleary blurry dim foggy fuzzy gauzy hazy indefinite indistinct indistinguishable misty murky nebulous obscure opaque pale shadowy unclear undefined undetermined vague
Synonyms: Verb
black out conk (out) keel (over) pass out swoon
Synonyms: Noun
blackout insensibility knockout swim swoon syncope
Antonyms: Adjective
clear definite pellucid
Antonyms: Verb
come around come round come to revive
Examples
Adjective
  • //We heard a faint noise.
  • //the faint glow of a distant light
  • //There was a faint smile on her lips.
  • //There's just a faint chance that the weather will improve by tomorrow.
  • //a faint reminder of their former greatness
  • //I'd better lie down; I feel faint.
  • //She felt faint from hunger.
Verb
  • //He always faints at the sight of blood.
  • //She almost fainted from the pain.
  • //She suffers from fainting spells.
Noun
  • //shocking news can cause a person to fall into a faint
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
1792, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Adjective
Middle English feint, faynt "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit or courage, listless, wearied, feeble, pale," borrowed from Anglo-French, "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit, weak," from present participle of feindre, faindre "to make, fabricate, pretend, dissemble, lose heart, fade" — more at feign
Verb
Middle English feinten, faynten "to pretend, lack spirit, become enfeebled, grow weak, fade," verbal derivative of feint, faynt "deceiving, lacking in spirit, wearied" — more at faint entry 1
Noun
noun derivative of faint entry 2
faint
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 3)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 3 of 3)

faint
adjective
ˈfānt
faint​er; faint​est

Definition (Entry 1 of 3)

  • hardly perceptible dim //faint handwriting
    vague sense 2a //haven't the faintest idea
  • weak, dizzy, and likely to faint //… sick and faint from the pain … — Jack London
  • lacking courage and spirit cowardly //faint of heart
  • lacking strength or vigor performed, offered, or accomplished weakly or languidly //faint praise //a faint smile on her lips
  • producing a sensation of faintness oppressive //the faint atmosphere of a tropical port
verb
faint​ed; faint​ing; faints

Definition (Entry 2 of 3)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • to lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain
  • archaic to lose courage or spirit
  • archaic to become weak
noun

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Other Words
Adjective
  • faint​ish ˈfān-tish adjective
  • faint​ish​ness noun
  • faint​ly adverb
  • faint​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Adjective
blear bleary blurry dim foggy fuzzy gauzy hazy indefinite indistinct indistinguishable misty murky nebulous obscure opaque pale shadowy unclear undefined undetermined vague
Synonyms: Verb
black out conk (out) keel (over) pass out swoon
Synonyms: Noun
blackout insensibility knockout swim swoon syncope
Antonyms: Adjective
clear definite pellucid
Antonyms: Verb
come around come round come to revive
Examples
Adjective
  • //We heard a faint noise.
  • //the faint glow of a distant light
  • //There was a faint smile on her lips.
  • //There's just a faint chance that the weather will improve by tomorrow.
  • //a faint reminder of their former greatness
  • //I'd better lie down; I feel faint.
  • //She felt faint from hunger.
Verb
  • //He always faints at the sight of blood.
  • //She almost fainted from the pain.
  • //She suffers from fainting spells.
Noun
  • //shocking news can cause a person to fall into a faint
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
1792, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Adjective
Middle English feint, faynt "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit or courage, listless, wearied, feeble, pale," borrowed from Anglo-French, "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit, weak," from present participle of feindre, faindre "to make, fabricate, pretend, dissemble, lose heart, fade" — more at feign
Verb
Middle English feinten, faynten "to pretend, lack spirit, become enfeebled, grow weak, fade," verbal derivative of feint, faynt "deceiving, lacking in spirit, wearied" — more at faint entry 1
Noun
noun derivative of faint entry 2
faint
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 3)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 3 of 3)

faint
adjective
ˈfānt
faint​er; faint​est

Definition (Entry 1 of 3)

  • hardly perceptible dim //faint handwriting
    vague sense 2a //haven't the faintest idea
  • weak, dizzy, and likely to faint //… sick and faint from the pain … — Jack London
  • lacking courage and spirit cowardly //faint of heart
  • lacking strength or vigor performed, offered, or accomplished weakly or languidly //faint praise //a faint smile on her lips
  • producing a sensation of faintness oppressive //the faint atmosphere of a tropical port
verb
faint​ed; faint​ing; faints

Definition (Entry 2 of 3)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • to lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain
  • archaic to lose courage or spirit
  • archaic to become weak
noun

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Other Words
Adjective
  • faint​ish ˈfān-tish adjective
  • faint​ish​ness noun
  • faint​ly adverb
  • faint​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Adjective
blear bleary blurry dim foggy fuzzy gauzy hazy indefinite indistinct indistinguishable misty murky nebulous obscure opaque pale shadowy unclear undefined undetermined vague
Synonyms: Verb
black out conk (out) keel (over) pass out swoon
Synonyms: Noun
blackout insensibility knockout swim swoon syncope
Antonyms: Adjective
clear definite pellucid
Antonyms: Verb
come around come round come to revive
Examples
Adjective
  • //We heard a faint noise.
  • //the faint glow of a distant light
  • //There was a faint smile on her lips.
  • //There's just a faint chance that the weather will improve by tomorrow.
  • //a faint reminder of their former greatness
  • //I'd better lie down; I feel faint.
  • //She felt faint from hunger.
Verb
  • //He always faints at the sight of blood.
  • //She almost fainted from the pain.
  • //She suffers from fainting spells.
Noun
  • //shocking news can cause a person to fall into a faint
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
1792, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Adjective
Middle English feint, faynt "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit or courage, listless, wearied, feeble, pale," borrowed from Anglo-French, "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit, weak," from present participle of feindre, faindre "to make, fabricate, pretend, dissemble, lose heart, fade" — more at feign
Verb
Middle English feinten, faynten "to pretend, lack spirit, become enfeebled, grow weak, fade," verbal derivative of feint, faynt "deceiving, lacking in spirit, wearied" — more at faint entry 1
Noun
noun derivative of faint entry 2
faint
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 3)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 3 of 3)

faint
adjective
ˈfānt
faint​er; faint​est

Definition (Entry 1 of 3)

  • hardly perceptible dim //faint handwriting
    vague sense 2a //haven't the faintest idea
  • weak, dizzy, and likely to faint //… sick and faint from the pain … — Jack London
  • lacking courage and spirit cowardly //faint of heart
  • lacking strength or vigor performed, offered, or accomplished weakly or languidly //faint praise //a faint smile on her lips
  • producing a sensation of faintness oppressive //the faint atmosphere of a tropical port
verb
faint​ed; faint​ing; faints

Definition (Entry 2 of 3)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • to lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain
  • archaic to lose courage or spirit
  • archaic to become weak
noun

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Other Words
Adjective
  • faint​ish ˈfān-tish adjective
  • faint​ish​ness noun
  • faint​ly adverb
  • faint​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Adjective
blear bleary blurry dim foggy fuzzy gauzy hazy indefinite indistinct indistinguishable misty murky nebulous obscure opaque pale shadowy unclear undefined undetermined vague
Synonyms: Verb
black out conk (out) keel (over) pass out swoon
Synonyms: Noun
blackout insensibility knockout swim swoon syncope
Antonyms: Adjective
clear definite pellucid
Antonyms: Verb
come around come round come to revive
Examples
Adjective
  • //We heard a faint noise.
  • //the faint glow of a distant light
  • //There was a faint smile on her lips.
  • //There's just a faint chance that the weather will improve by tomorrow.
  • //a faint reminder of their former greatness
  • //I'd better lie down; I feel faint.
  • //She felt faint from hunger.
Verb
  • //He always faints at the sight of blood.
  • //She almost fainted from the pain.
  • //She suffers from fainting spells.
Noun
  • //shocking news can cause a person to fall into a faint
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
1792, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Adjective
Middle English feint, faynt "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit or courage, listless, wearied, feeble, pale," borrowed from Anglo-French, "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit, weak," from present participle of feindre, faindre "to make, fabricate, pretend, dissemble, lose heart, fade" — more at feign
Verb
Middle English feinten, faynten "to pretend, lack spirit, become enfeebled, grow weak, fade," verbal derivative of feint, faynt "deceiving, lacking in spirit, wearied" — more at faint entry 1
Noun
noun derivative of faint entry 2
faint
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 3)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 3 of 3)

faint
adjective
ˈfānt
faint​er; faint​est

Definition (Entry 1 of 3)

  • hardly perceptible dim //faint handwriting
    vague sense 2a //haven't the faintest idea
  • weak, dizzy, and likely to faint //… sick and faint from the pain … — Jack London
  • lacking courage and spirit cowardly //faint of heart
  • lacking strength or vigor performed, offered, or accomplished weakly or languidly //faint praise //a faint smile on her lips
  • producing a sensation of faintness oppressive //the faint atmosphere of a tropical port
verb
faint​ed; faint​ing; faints

Definition (Entry 2 of 3)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • to lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain
  • archaic to lose courage or spirit
  • archaic to become weak
noun

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Other Words
Adjective
  • faint​ish ˈfān-tish adjective
  • faint​ish​ness noun
  • faint​ly adverb
  • faint​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Adjective
blear bleary blurry dim foggy fuzzy gauzy hazy indefinite indistinct indistinguishable misty murky nebulous obscure opaque pale shadowy unclear undefined undetermined vague
Synonyms: Verb
black out conk (out) keel (over) pass out swoon
Synonyms: Noun
blackout insensibility knockout swim swoon syncope
Antonyms: Adjective
clear definite pellucid
Antonyms: Verb
come around come round come to revive
Examples
Adjective
  • //We heard a faint noise.
  • //the faint glow of a distant light
  • //There was a faint smile on her lips.
  • //There's just a faint chance that the weather will improve by tomorrow.
  • //a faint reminder of their former greatness
  • //I'd better lie down; I feel faint.
  • //She felt faint from hunger.
Verb
  • //He always faints at the sight of blood.
  • //She almost fainted from the pain.
  • //She suffers from fainting spells.
Noun
  • //shocking news can cause a person to fall into a faint
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
1792, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Adjective
Middle English feint, faynt "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit or courage, listless, wearied, feeble, pale," borrowed from Anglo-French, "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit, weak," from present participle of feindre, faindre "to make, fabricate, pretend, dissemble, lose heart, fade" — more at feign
Verb
Middle English feinten, faynten "to pretend, lack spirit, become enfeebled, grow weak, fade," verbal derivative of feint, faynt "deceiving, lacking in spirit, wearied" — more at faint entry 1
Noun
noun derivative of faint entry 2
faint
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 3)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 3 of 3)

faint
adjective
ˈfānt
faint​er; faint​est

Definition (Entry 1 of 3)

  • hardly perceptible dim //faint handwriting
    vague sense 2a //haven't the faintest idea
  • weak, dizzy, and likely to faint //… sick and faint from the pain … — Jack London
  • lacking courage and spirit cowardly //faint of heart
  • lacking strength or vigor performed, offered, or accomplished weakly or languidly //faint praise //a faint smile on her lips
  • producing a sensation of faintness oppressive //the faint atmosphere of a tropical port
verb
faint​ed; faint​ing; faints

Definition (Entry 2 of 3)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • to lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain
  • archaic to lose courage or spirit
  • archaic to become weak
noun

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Other Words
Adjective
  • faint​ish ˈfān-tish adjective
  • faint​ish​ness noun
  • faint​ly adverb
  • faint​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Adjective
blear bleary blurry dim foggy fuzzy gauzy hazy indefinite indistinct indistinguishable misty murky nebulous obscure opaque pale shadowy unclear undefined undetermined vague
Synonyms: Verb
black out conk (out) keel (over) pass out swoon
Synonyms: Noun
blackout insensibility knockout swim swoon syncope
Antonyms: Adjective
clear definite pellucid
Antonyms: Verb
come around come round come to revive
Examples
Adjective
  • //We heard a faint noise.
  • //the faint glow of a distant light
  • //There was a faint smile on her lips.
  • //There's just a faint chance that the weather will improve by tomorrow.
  • //a faint reminder of their former greatness
  • //I'd better lie down; I feel faint.
  • //She felt faint from hunger.
Verb
  • //He always faints at the sight of blood.
  • //She almost fainted from the pain.
  • //She suffers from fainting spells.
Noun
  • //shocking news can cause a person to fall into a faint
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
1792, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Adjective
Middle English feint, faynt "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit or courage, listless, wearied, feeble, pale," borrowed from Anglo-French, "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit, weak," from present participle of feindre, faindre "to make, fabricate, pretend, dissemble, lose heart, fade" — more at feign
Verb
Middle English feinten, faynten "to pretend, lack spirit, become enfeebled, grow weak, fade," verbal derivative of feint, faynt "deceiving, lacking in spirit, wearied" — more at faint entry 1
Noun
noun derivative of faint entry 2
faint
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 3)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 3 of 3)

faint
adjective
ˈfānt
faint​er; faint​est

Definition (Entry 1 of 3)

  • hardly perceptible dim //faint handwriting
    vague sense 2a //haven't the faintest idea
  • weak, dizzy, and likely to faint //… sick and faint from the pain … — Jack London
  • lacking courage and spirit cowardly //faint of heart
  • lacking strength or vigor performed, offered, or accomplished weakly or languidly //faint praise //a faint smile on her lips
  • producing a sensation of faintness oppressive //the faint atmosphere of a tropical port
verb
faint​ed; faint​ing; faints

Definition (Entry 2 of 3)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • to lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain
  • archaic to lose courage or spirit
  • archaic to become weak
noun

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Other Words
Adjective
  • faint​ish ˈfān-tish adjective
  • faint​ish​ness noun
  • faint​ly adverb
  • faint​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Adjective
blear bleary blurry dim foggy fuzzy gauzy hazy indefinite indistinct indistinguishable misty murky nebulous obscure opaque pale shadowy unclear undefined undetermined vague
Synonyms: Verb
black out conk (out) keel (over) pass out swoon
Synonyms: Noun
blackout insensibility knockout swim swoon syncope
Antonyms: Adjective
clear definite pellucid
Antonyms: Verb
come around come round come to revive
Examples
Adjective
  • //We heard a faint noise.
  • //the faint glow of a distant light
  • //There was a faint smile on her lips.
  • //There's just a faint chance that the weather will improve by tomorrow.
  • //a faint reminder of their former greatness
  • //I'd better lie down; I feel faint.
  • //She felt faint from hunger.
Verb
  • //He always faints at the sight of blood.
  • //She almost fainted from the pain.
  • //She suffers from fainting spells.
Noun
  • //shocking news can cause a person to fall into a faint
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
1792, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Adjective
Middle English feint, faynt "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit or courage, listless, wearied, feeble, pale," borrowed from Anglo-French, "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit, weak," from present participle of feindre, faindre "to make, fabricate, pretend, dissemble, lose heart, fade" — more at feign
Verb
Middle English feinten, faynten "to pretend, lack spirit, become enfeebled, grow weak, fade," verbal derivative of feint, faynt "deceiving, lacking in spirit, wearied" — more at faint entry 1
Noun
noun derivative of faint entry 2
faint
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 3)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 3 of 3)

faint
adjective
ˈfānt
faint​er; faint​est

Definition (Entry 1 of 3)

  • hardly perceptible dim //faint handwriting
    vague sense 2a //haven't the faintest idea
  • weak, dizzy, and likely to faint //… sick and faint from the pain … — Jack London
  • lacking courage and spirit cowardly //faint of heart
  • lacking strength or vigor performed, offered, or accomplished weakly or languidly //faint praise //a faint smile on her lips
  • producing a sensation of faintness oppressive //the faint atmosphere of a tropical port
verb
faint​ed; faint​ing; faints

Definition (Entry 2 of 3)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • to lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain
  • archaic to lose courage or spirit
  • archaic to become weak
noun

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Other Words
Adjective
  • faint​ish ˈfān-tish adjective
  • faint​ish​ness noun
  • faint​ly adverb
  • faint​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Adjective
blear bleary blurry dim foggy fuzzy gauzy hazy indefinite indistinct indistinguishable misty murky nebulous obscure opaque pale shadowy unclear undefined undetermined vague
Synonyms: Verb
black out conk (out) keel (over) pass out swoon
Synonyms: Noun
blackout insensibility knockout swim swoon syncope
Antonyms: Adjective
clear definite pellucid
Antonyms: Verb
come around come round come to revive
Examples
Adjective
  • //We heard a faint noise.
  • //the faint glow of a distant light
  • //There was a faint smile on her lips.
  • //There's just a faint chance that the weather will improve by tomorrow.
  • //a faint reminder of their former greatness
  • //I'd better lie down; I feel faint.
  • //She felt faint from hunger.
Verb
  • //He always faints at the sight of blood.
  • //She almost fainted from the pain.
  • //She suffers from fainting spells.
Noun
  • //shocking news can cause a person to fall into a faint
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
1792, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Adjective
Middle English feint, faynt "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit or courage, listless, wearied, feeble, pale," borrowed from Anglo-French, "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit, weak," from present participle of feindre, faindre "to make, fabricate, pretend, dissemble, lose heart, fade" — more at feign
Verb
Middle English feinten, faynten "to pretend, lack spirit, become enfeebled, grow weak, fade," verbal derivative of feint, faynt "deceiving, lacking in spirit, wearied" — more at faint entry 1
Noun
noun derivative of faint entry 2
faint
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 3)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 3 of 3)

faint
adjective
ˈfānt
faint​er; faint​est

Definition (Entry 1 of 3)

  • hardly perceptible dim //faint handwriting
    vague sense 2a //haven't the faintest idea
  • weak, dizzy, and likely to faint //… sick and faint from the pain … — Jack London
  • lacking courage and spirit cowardly //faint of heart
  • lacking strength or vigor performed, offered, or accomplished weakly or languidly //faint praise //a faint smile on her lips
  • producing a sensation of faintness oppressive //the faint atmosphere of a tropical port
verb
faint​ed; faint​ing; faints

Definition (Entry 2 of 3)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • to lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain
  • archaic to lose courage or spirit
  • archaic to become weak
noun

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Other Words
Adjective
  • faint​ish ˈfān-tish adjective
  • faint​ish​ness noun
  • faint​ly adverb
  • faint​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Adjective
blear bleary blurry dim foggy fuzzy gauzy hazy indefinite indistinct indistinguishable misty murky nebulous obscure opaque pale shadowy unclear undefined undetermined vague
Synonyms: Verb
black out conk (out) keel (over) pass out swoon
Synonyms: Noun
blackout insensibility knockout swim swoon syncope
Antonyms: Adjective
clear definite pellucid
Antonyms: Verb
come around come round come to revive
Examples
Adjective
  • //We heard a faint noise.
  • //the faint glow of a distant light
  • //There was a faint smile on her lips.
  • //There's just a faint chance that the weather will improve by tomorrow.
  • //a faint reminder of their former greatness
  • //I'd better lie down; I feel faint.
  • //She felt faint from hunger.
Verb
  • //He always faints at the sight of blood.
  • //She almost fainted from the pain.
  • //She suffers from fainting spells.
Noun
  • //shocking news can cause a person to fall into a faint
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
1792, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Adjective
Middle English feint, faynt "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit or courage, listless, wearied, feeble, pale," borrowed from Anglo-French, "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit, weak," from present participle of feindre, faindre "to make, fabricate, pretend, dissemble, lose heart, fade" — more at feign
Verb
Middle English feinten, faynten "to pretend, lack spirit, become enfeebled, grow weak, fade," verbal derivative of feint, faynt "deceiving, lacking in spirit, wearied" — more at faint entry 1
Noun
noun derivative of faint entry 2
faint
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 3)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 3 of 3)

faint
adjective
ˈfānt
faint​er; faint​est

Definition (Entry 1 of 3)

  • hardly perceptible dim //faint handwriting
    vague sense 2a //haven't the faintest idea
  • weak, dizzy, and likely to faint //… sick and faint from the pain … — Jack London
  • lacking courage and spirit cowardly //faint of heart
  • lacking strength or vigor performed, offered, or accomplished weakly or languidly //faint praise //a faint smile on her lips
  • producing a sensation of faintness oppressive //the faint atmosphere of a tropical port
verb
faint​ed; faint​ing; faints

Definition (Entry 2 of 3)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • to lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain
  • archaic to lose courage or spirit
  • archaic to become weak
noun

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Other Words
Adjective
  • faint​ish ˈfān-tish adjective
  • faint​ish​ness noun
  • faint​ly adverb
  • faint​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Adjective
blear bleary blurry dim foggy fuzzy gauzy hazy indefinite indistinct indistinguishable misty murky nebulous obscure opaque pale shadowy unclear undefined undetermined vague
Synonyms: Verb
black out conk (out) keel (over) pass out swoon
Synonyms: Noun
blackout insensibility knockout swim swoon syncope
Antonyms: Adjective
clear definite pellucid
Antonyms: Verb
come around come round come to revive
Examples
Adjective
  • //We heard a faint noise.
  • //the faint glow of a distant light
  • //There was a faint smile on her lips.
  • //There's just a faint chance that the weather will improve by tomorrow.
  • //a faint reminder of their former greatness
  • //I'd better lie down; I feel faint.
  • //She felt faint from hunger.
Verb
  • //He always faints at the sight of blood.
  • //She almost fainted from the pain.
  • //She suffers from fainting spells.
Noun
  • //shocking news can cause a person to fall into a faint
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
1792, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Adjective
Middle English feint, faynt "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit or courage, listless, wearied, feeble, pale," borrowed from Anglo-French, "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit, weak," from present participle of feindre, faindre "to make, fabricate, pretend, dissemble, lose heart, fade" — more at feign
Verb
Middle English feinten, faynten "to pretend, lack spirit, become enfeebled, grow weak, fade," verbal derivative of feint, faynt "deceiving, lacking in spirit, wearied" — more at faint entry 1
Noun
noun derivative of faint entry 2
faint
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 3)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 3 of 3)

faint
adjective
ˈfānt
faint​er; faint​est

Definition (Entry 1 of 3)

  • hardly perceptible dim //faint handwriting
    vague sense 2a //haven't the faintest idea
  • weak, dizzy, and likely to faint //… sick and faint from the pain … — Jack London
  • lacking courage and spirit cowardly //faint of heart
  • lacking strength or vigor performed, offered, or accomplished weakly or languidly //faint praise //a faint smile on her lips
  • producing a sensation of faintness oppressive //the faint atmosphere of a tropical port
verb
faint​ed; faint​ing; faints

Definition (Entry 2 of 3)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • to lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain
  • archaic to lose courage or spirit
  • archaic to become weak
noun

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Other Words
Adjective
  • faint​ish ˈfān-tish adjective
  • faint​ish​ness noun
  • faint​ly adverb
  • faint​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Adjective
blear bleary blurry dim foggy fuzzy gauzy hazy indefinite indistinct indistinguishable misty murky nebulous obscure opaque pale shadowy unclear undefined undetermined vague
Synonyms: Verb
black out conk (out) keel (over) pass out swoon
Synonyms: Noun
blackout insensibility knockout swim swoon syncope
Antonyms: Adjective
clear definite pellucid
Antonyms: Verb
come around come round come to revive
Examples
Adjective
  • //We heard a faint noise.
  • //the faint glow of a distant light
  • //There was a faint smile on her lips.
  • //There's just a faint chance that the weather will improve by tomorrow.
  • //a faint reminder of their former greatness
  • //I'd better lie down; I feel faint.
  • //She felt faint from hunger.
Verb
  • //He always faints at the sight of blood.
  • //She almost fainted from the pain.
  • //She suffers from fainting spells.
Noun
  • //shocking news can cause a person to fall into a faint
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
1792, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Adjective
Middle English feint, faynt "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit or courage, listless, wearied, feeble, pale," borrowed from Anglo-French, "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit, weak," from present participle of feindre, faindre "to make, fabricate, pretend, dissemble, lose heart, fade" — more at feign
Verb
Middle English feinten, faynten "to pretend, lack spirit, become enfeebled, grow weak, fade," verbal derivative of feint, faynt "deceiving, lacking in spirit, wearied" — more at faint entry 1
Noun
noun derivative of faint entry 2
faint
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 3)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 3 of 3)

faint
adjective
ˈfānt
faint​er; faint​est

Definition (Entry 1 of 3)

  • hardly perceptible dim //faint handwriting
    vague sense 2a //haven't the faintest idea
  • weak, dizzy, and likely to faint //… sick and faint from the pain … — Jack London
  • lacking courage and spirit cowardly //faint of heart
  • lacking strength or vigor performed, offered, or accomplished weakly or languidly //faint praise //a faint smile on her lips
  • producing a sensation of faintness oppressive //the faint atmosphere of a tropical port
verb
faint​ed; faint​ing; faints

Definition (Entry 2 of 3)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • to lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain
  • archaic to lose courage or spirit
  • archaic to become weak
noun

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Other Words
Adjective
  • faint​ish ˈfān-tish adjective
  • faint​ish​ness noun
  • faint​ly adverb
  • faint​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Adjective
blear bleary blurry dim foggy fuzzy gauzy hazy indefinite indistinct indistinguishable misty murky nebulous obscure opaque pale shadowy unclear undefined undetermined vague
Synonyms: Verb
black out conk (out) keel (over) pass out swoon
Synonyms: Noun
blackout insensibility knockout swim swoon syncope
Antonyms: Adjective
clear definite pellucid
Antonyms: Verb
come around come round come to revive
Examples
Adjective
  • //We heard a faint noise.
  • //the faint glow of a distant light
  • //There was a faint smile on her lips.
  • //There's just a faint chance that the weather will improve by tomorrow.
  • //a faint reminder of their former greatness
  • //I'd better lie down; I feel faint.
  • //She felt faint from hunger.
Verb
  • //He always faints at the sight of blood.
  • //She almost fainted from the pain.
  • //She suffers from fainting spells.
Noun
  • //shocking news can cause a person to fall into a faint
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
1792, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Adjective
Middle English feint, faynt "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit or courage, listless, wearied, feeble, pale," borrowed from Anglo-French, "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit, weak," from present participle of feindre, faindre "to make, fabricate, pretend, dissemble, lose heart, fade" — more at feign
Verb
Middle English feinten, faynten "to pretend, lack spirit, become enfeebled, grow weak, fade," verbal derivative of feint, faynt "deceiving, lacking in spirit, wearied" — more at faint entry 1
Noun
noun derivative of faint entry 2
faint
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 3)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 3 of 3)

faint
adjective
ˈfānt
faint​er; faint​est

Definition (Entry 1 of 3)

  • hardly perceptible dim //faint handwriting
    vague sense 2a //haven't the faintest idea
  • weak, dizzy, and likely to faint //… sick and faint from the pain … — Jack London
  • lacking courage and spirit cowardly //faint of heart
  • lacking strength or vigor performed, offered, or accomplished weakly or languidly //faint praise //a faint smile on her lips
  • producing a sensation of faintness oppressive //the faint atmosphere of a tropical port
verb
faint​ed; faint​ing; faints

Definition (Entry 2 of 3)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • to lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain
  • archaic to lose courage or spirit
  • archaic to become weak
noun

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Other Words
Adjective
  • faint​ish ˈfān-tish adjective
  • faint​ish​ness noun
  • faint​ly adverb
  • faint​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Adjective
blear bleary blurry dim foggy fuzzy gauzy hazy indefinite indistinct indistinguishable misty murky nebulous obscure opaque pale shadowy unclear undefined undetermined vague
Synonyms: Verb
black out conk (out) keel (over) pass out swoon
Synonyms: Noun
blackout insensibility knockout swim swoon syncope
Antonyms: Adjective
clear definite pellucid
Antonyms: Verb
come around come round come to revive
Examples
Adjective
  • //We heard a faint noise.
  • //the faint glow of a distant light
  • //There was a faint smile on her lips.
  • //There's just a faint chance that the weather will improve by tomorrow.
  • //a faint reminder of their former greatness
  • //I'd better lie down; I feel faint.
  • //She felt faint from hunger.
Verb
  • //He always faints at the sight of blood.
  • //She almost fainted from the pain.
  • //She suffers from fainting spells.
Noun
  • //shocking news can cause a person to fall into a faint
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
1792, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Adjective
Middle English feint, faynt "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit or courage, listless, wearied, feeble, pale," borrowed from Anglo-French, "deceiving, false, lacking in spirit, weak," from present participle of feindre, faindre "to make, fabricate, pretend, dissemble, lose heart, fade" — more at feign
Verb
Middle English feinten, faynten "to pretend, lack spirit, become enfeebled, grow weak, fade," verbal derivative of feint, faynt "deceiving, lacking in spirit, wearied" — more at faint entry 1
Noun
noun derivative of faint entry 2
faint
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 3)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 3 of 3)

faint — MW · Shobdo