faint

¹faint

adj \ˈfānt\

Definition of FAINT

1

: lacking courage and spirit : cowardly <faint of heart>

2

: weak, dizzy, and likely to faint

3

: lacking strength or vigor : performed, offered, or accomplished weakly or languidly <faint praise>

4

: producing a sensation of faintness : oppressive <the faint atmosphere of a tropical port>

5

a : hardly perceptible : dim <faint handwriting> b : vague 2a <haven't the faintest idea>

— faint·ish \ˈfān-tish\ adjective

— faint·ish·ness noun

— faint·ly adverb

— faint·ness noun

Examples of FAINT

1. We heard a faint noise.
2. the faint glow of a distant light
3. There was a faint smile on her lips.
4. There's just a faint chance that the weather will improve by tomorrow.
5. a faint reminder of their former greatness
6. I'd better lie down; I feel faint.
7. She felt faint from hunger.

Origin of FAINT

Middle English faint, feint, from Anglo-French, from past participle of feindre, faindre to feign, lose heart — more at feign

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to FAINT

Synonyms: blear, bleary, blurry, dim, foggy, fuzzy, gauzy, hazy, indefinite, indistinct, indistinguishable, misty, murky, nebulous, obscure, opaque, pale, shadowy, unclear, undefined, undetermined, vague

Antonyms: clear, definite, pellucid

Related Words: dark, dusky, gloomy; impalpable, inappreciable, intangible, invisible; hieroglyphic (also hieroglyphical), incomprehensible, indecipherable, indiscernible, inexplicable, mysterious, obfuscatory, puzzling

Near Antonyms: bright, distinct, evident, obvious, plain; certain, firm, strong, sure

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with FAINT

feint, paint, plaint, quaint, saint, taint