fainter; faintest
1
: not clearly seen, heard, tasted, felt, etc.
We heard a faint noise.
a faint smell/odor/aroma
the faint glow of a distant light
There was a faint smile on her lips.
a faint [=weak] radio signal
2
: very slight or small
There's just a faint chance/possibility that the weather will improve by tomorrow.
a faint hope
a faint reminder of their former greatness
He didn't have the faintest idea/notion what she was talking about. [=he did not know what she was talking about]
She showed not the faintest interest in him. [=she showed no interest at all in him]
3
not used before a noun
: weak and dizzy
I'd better lie down; I feel faint.
She felt faint from/with hunger.
faints; fainted; fainting
: to suddenly become unconscious
He always faints at the sight of blood.
She almost fainted from the pain.
She suffers from fainting spells.
Cite this Entry
“Faint.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/faint. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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