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Faint: meaning, definitions and examples

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faint

 

[feɪnt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

Lacking strength or vigor; weak. Likely to lose consciousness.

Synonyms

dizzy, feeble, weak.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
faint

Use when someone feels like they might lose consciousness or when a sound or image is very weak or hard to perceive.

  • She felt faint after standing up too quickly.
  • There was a faint light coming from the window.
weak

General term for lacking strength, power, or intensity. Can be used for people, objects, or efforts.

  • After recovering from the flu, she still felt weak.
  • The weak effort to fix the issue didn’t solve the problem.
feeble

Describes something or someone that is physically weak or lacking strength, often used to imply a sense of fragility.

  • The elderly man had a feeble grip.
  • His feeble attempt at lifting the box was unsuccessful.
dizzy

Used to describe a feeling of spinning or losing balance, often associated with nausea.

  • He felt dizzy after riding the roller coaster.
  • Looking down from the tall building made her dizzy.

Examples of usage

  • She felt faint after running a marathon.
  • The patient was faint from dehydration.
Context #2 | Verb

action

To lose consciousness for a short time because of a temporary lack of oxygen to the brain.

Synonyms

collapse, pass out, swoon.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
faint

Used when someone temporarily loses consciousness due to a drop in blood pressure or extreme emotions. It is often used in everyday situations and is a neutral term.

  • She felt lightheaded and almost fainted in the crowded room.
  • He fainted after standing in the hot sun for too long.
pass out

Informal term used to describe temporary loss of consciousness, often due to factors like alcohol, heat, or fatigue. It is more casual and colloquial.

  • I was so tired after the hike that I just passed out on the couch.
  • He passed out at the party after drinking too much.
collapse

Used when someone suddenly falls down or loses strength, often suggesting a more serious medical condition or extreme fatigue. It carries a slightly stronger sense of urgency or seriousness.

  • He collapsed on the football field and was immediately taken to the hospital.
  • After working 18 hours straight, she collapsed from exhaustion.
swoon

Used to describe fainting or near-fainting due to strong emotions, particularly romantic feelings. It often carries a more poetic or dramatic tone.

  • She swooned when she saw him get down on one knee to propose.
  • The fans swooned at the sight of their favorite celebrity.

Examples of usage

  • He fainted at the sight of blood.
  • She fainted from the heat.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old French 'feint' meaning 'to feign' or 'to pretend,' which relates to pretending to be unconscious.
  • In Latin, the term 'fingere' means 'to shape or form,' reflecting how fainting can feel like losing one's form or stability.

Science

  • Fainting can occur due to a sudden drop in blood flow to the brain, often triggered by dehydration, stress, or standing up too quickly.
  • The medical term for fainting is 'syncope,' which describes the temporary loss of consciousness.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and TV shows, characters often faint dramatically when overwhelmed by emotion, a common trope in romantic or suspenseful scenes.
  • Fainting is humorously portrayed in many cartoons where characters fall over after seeing something unbelievable.

History

  • Historically, fainting was commonly associated with women, often linked to corsets restricting breathing during the Victorian era.
  • Fainting couches were popular furniture in the 19th century, intended for those who might fall unconscious for any reason.

Psychology

  • Emotional factors, such as seeing something terrifying or experiencing extreme joy, can lead to fainting as part of the body's stress response.
  • Anxiety and panic attacks can also trigger fainting, showcasing the strong connection between mental and physical health.

Translations

Translations of the word "faint" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desmaiar

🇮🇳 बेहोश

🇩🇪 ohnmächtig werden

🇮🇩 pingsan

🇺🇦 знепритомніти

🇵🇱 zemdleć

🇯🇵 気絶する

🇫🇷 s'évanouir

🇪🇸 desmayarse

🇹🇷 bayılmak

🇰🇷 기절하다

🇸🇦 يُغمى عليه

🇨🇿 omdlít

🇸🇰 omdlieť

🇨🇳 晕倒

🇸🇮 omedleti

🇮🇸 liðast

🇰🇿 есінен танып қалу

🇬🇪 გონების დაკარგვა

🇦🇿 huşunu itirmək

🇲🇽 desmayarse

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,132 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.