Meaning of faint in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Definitions
  3. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions
  4. Noun
    1. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /feɪnt/

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  1. Verb

    faint

    Definitions

    1. pass out from weakness, physical or emotional distress due to a loss of blood supply to the brain

    Derived terms

  2. Classifying Adjective

    faint

    Definitions

    1. barely perceptible

    Examples

    • « lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc »
    • « a faint outline »
    • « the wan sun cast faint shadows »
    • « the faint light of a distant candle »
    • « faint colors »
    • « a faint hissing sound »
    • « a faint aroma »

    Synonyms

  3. 2. lacking clarity or distinctness

    Examples

    • « a dim figure in the distance »
    • « only a faint recollection »
    • « shadowy figures in the gloom »
    • « saw a vague outline of a building through the fog »
    • « a few wispy memories of childhood »

    Synonyms

  4. 3. lacking strength or vigor

    Examples

    • « damning with faint praise »
    • « faint resistance »
    • « feeble efforts »
    • « a feeble voice »

    Synonyms

  5. 4. weak and likely to lose consciousness

    Examples

    • « suddenly felt faint from the pain »
    • « was sick and faint from hunger »
    • « felt light in the head »
    • « a swooning fit »
    • « light-headed with wine »
    • « light-headed from lack of sleep »

    Synonyms

  6. 5. indistinctly understood or felt or perceived

    Examples

    • « a faint clue to the origin of the mystery »
    • « haven't the faintest idea »

    Synonyms

  7. 6. lacking conviction or boldness or courage

    Examples

    • « faint heart ne'er won fair lady »

    Synonyms

  8. Noun

    faint

    Definitions

    1. a spontaneous loss of consciousness caused by insufficient blood to the brain

    Derived terms

Famous quotes

  • « The first sentence of every novel should be: Trust me, this will take time but there is order here, very faint, very human. Meander if you want to get to town. »
    Michael Ondaatje
  • « Two qualities are indispensable: first, an intellect that, even in the darkest hour, retains some glimmerings of the inner light which leads to truth and second, the courage to follow this faint light wherever it may lead. »
    Karl Von Clausewitz
  • « I'm a huge Wes Anderson fan I would faint if I met him, let alone got to work with him. »
    Emma Roberts
  • « Being a parent is not for the faint of heart. I may joke about knowing fear, but the fact is, the first time I ever knew real fear was the day Charlotte, my first child, was born. Suddenly there is someone in the world you care about more than anything. »
    Harlan Coben
  • « The search for the truth is not for the faint hearted. »
    Vincent D'Onofrio

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