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faint

faint

 
 
pronunciation:
feInt
parts of speech:
adjective, verb, noun
features:
Homophone Note, Word History, Word Explorer
part of speech: adjective
inflections: fainter, faintest
definition 1: weak or slight.
There is still a faint odor of fish in here.We heard a faint whisper.
synonyms:
feeble, weak
antonyms:
intense, striking, strong
similar words:
dim, dull, obscure, outside, remote, slight, small
definition 2: very tired, dizzy, or about to become unconscious.
She felt faint after gym class.
synonyms:
dizzy, exhausted
similar words:
giddy, light, weak
 
part of speech: verb
inflections: faints, fainting, fainted
definition: to become unconscious for a short time; pass out.
Paul faints at the sight of blood.
synonyms:
keel over, pass out
similar words:
black out, collapse
 
part of speech: noun
definition: a condition in which a person becomes unconscious for a short time.
She fell in a faint.
synonyms:
blackout
similar words:
unconsciousness
Homophone Note
The words faint and feint sound alike but have different meanings. To find out why a basketball player would rather feint than faint on the court, look up feint.
Word History
Faint comes from an early French word that means "cowardly" and "lacking in spirit."
Word Explorer
See
  color, fear, first aid