Swoon Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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swoon
[swuːn ]
Definitions
romantic feelings
To faint from extreme emotion, typically love or admiration.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| swoon |
Typically used in romantic or dramatic contexts where someone is overcome by strong emotions, like love or excitement. It often has a somewhat poetic or old-fashioned tone.
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| faint |
Refers to suddenly losing consciousness for a short period, often because of dehydration, fear, or emotional shock. It's a more neutral and clinical term compared to 'swoon'.
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| pass out |
A casual term for losing consciousness, often due to reasons like drinking excessively, exhaustion, or shock. It can be informal and is commonly used in everyday language.
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| collapse |
Used when someone falls down due to extreme physical exhaustion, illness, or a sudden loss of strength. It often implies a serious situation and can be used negatively.
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Examples of usage
- She swooned at the sight of her favorite actor.
- The romantic gesture made her swoon with delight.
admiration
To be overwhelmed by a strong feeling of admiration or adoration.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| swoon |
This word is often used to describe a strong emotional reaction, usually involving a sense of fainting or overwhelming excitement. It is often used in a more romantic or dramatic context.
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| adore |
This conveys a strong affection and love, often with a sense of personal fondness or devotion. It is more commonly used to describe feelings towards people or pets.
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| admire |
Use this when you want to express deep respect or warm approval for someone or something. It's more formal and less emotionally intense compared to the other options.
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| idolize |
This indicates treating someone as an idol or giving them excessive admiration. It's often used to describe a very high level of admiration, sometimes excessively or unreasonably.
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Examples of usage
- She swooned over the beautiful sunset.
- He swooned over her talent as a musician.
romantic
An instance of swooning; a fainting spell.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| swoon |
Often used to describe someone feeling extremely emotional, often due to romantic feelings. It sounds poetic and old-fashioned.
|
| faint |
Commonly used to describe briefly losing consciousness, often due to dehydration, overheating, or stress. It is a neutral term, not overly dramatic.
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| collapse |
Used when describing someone falling down suddenly, often due to weakness, exhaustion, or structural failure. It has a serious tone and can refer to both physical and metaphorical situations.
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| blackout |
Refers to a temporary loss of consciousness, often due to a medical condition, excessive alcohol consumption, or lack of oxygen. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a loss of memory.
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Examples of usage
- She had a swoon when he proposed to her.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Pop Culture
- In romantic films, swooning characters often dramatically faint after seeing their love interest, highlighting strong emotions.
- The term is frequently used in songs and poetry to express admiration or infatuation.
- Iconic scenes in classic literature, such as those by Jane Austen, often depict characters swooning over their beloved.
Psychology
- Swooning can be connected to the body's fight-or-flight response; intense emotions can trigger physical reactions.
- Psychologists note that intense emotional experiences can cause temporary feelings of weakness or faintness.
- Feeling overwhelmed by beauty or love can lead to swooning, illustrating the powerful connection between emotions and physical responses.
Literature
- Many romantic novels feature characters who swoon to showcase their vulnerability during moments of love.
- Poets often use the imagery of swooning to represent deep emotional states, especially in sonnets and romantic verse.
- Charles Dickens described swooning characters in his works, especially in relation to social situations and love.
History
- Swooning was a common reaction in the Victorian era, especially among women, reflecting societal views on fragility.
- In the early 20th century, swooning became a popular trope in silent films, showcasing dramatic love scenes.
- Historically, swooning was often misunderstood as a sign of weakness, but it illustrates how emotionally charged situations affect people.
Origin of 'swoon'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'swoon' comes from the Old English 'swogan', which means to 'faint' or 'become weak'.
- It was first used in literature around the 13th century, showing how long feelings of love have affected people.
- Originally, it described being overcome by emotion, often associated with courtly love in medieval times.
The word 'swoon' originated from Middle English 'swownen', which means 'to faint' or 'to lose consciousness'. It has been used in English literature to describe the act of fainting due to extreme emotions since the 13th century. Over time, 'swoon' has evolved to also represent being overwhelmed with admiration or adoration, especially in a romantic context.