faint

verb

fainted; fainting; faints

intransitive verb

1

: to lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain

2

archaic : to lose courage or spirit

3

archaic : to become weak

Synonyms of faint

• collapse
• swoon
• pass out
• keel (over)

Examples of faint in a Sentence

He always faints at the sight of blood.

She almost fainted from the pain.

She suffers from fainting spells.

Recent Examples on the Web

Cust started developing neurological symptoms such as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) — a disorder that causes a racing heart, dizziness, and near-fainting episodes — that made basic daily tasks nearly impossible. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026

One of the latest challenges is hydrogen sulfide – a foul-smelling gas given off by decomposing bat droppings inside the chamber, that caused some crew members to faint, Kengkad told CNN. —Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 28 May 2026

Mejías fainted during the raid. —Meg Anderson, NPR, 27 May 2026

The 94-year-old stood tall and unwavering under a warming sun, even as some people nearby fainted before the May 1 event began. —Andrea Rodríguez, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English feinten, faynten "to pretend, lack spirit, become enfeebled, grow weak, fade," verbal derivative of feint, faynt "deceiving, lacking in spirit, wearied" — more at faint entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing faint

• damn with faint praise
• dead faint
• faint of heart
• not for the faint of heart

Rhymes for faint

• feint
• maint
• paint
• plaint
• quaint
• saint
• taint
• acquaint
• complaint
• constraint
• distraint
• repaint

Kids Definition

faint

1 of 3 adjective

ˈfānt 

1

: timid, cowardly

faint heart

2

: being weak, dizzy, and likely to collapse

feel faint

3

: lacking strength : weak

faint praise

4

a

: not clear or plain : dim

faint cries for help

b

: vague sense 2

haven't the faintest idea

faintly adverb

faintness noun

faint

2 of 3 verb

: to lose consciousness

faint

3 of 3 noun

: an act or condition of fainting

Medical Definition

faint

1 of 3 adjective

ˈfānt 

: weak, dizzy, and likely to faint

faint

2 of 3 intransitive verb

: to lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain

faint

3 of 3 noun

: the physiological action of fainting

also : the resulting condition : syncope