faintness

UK: /ˈfeɪntnɪs/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

faint /feɪnt/   adj., -er, -est, v., n. 
adj. 

1. lacking brightness, vividness, clearness, loudness, strength, etc.:
   a faint voice.
2. feeble or slight;
   lacking conviction or enough effort;
   weak:
   faint encouragement.

v. [no object]

3. Pathology to lose consciousness temporarily:
   The boy wobbled unsteadily and fainted.

n. [countable]

4. a temporary loss of consciousness resulting from a decreased flow of blood to the brain;
   swoon:
   She fell to the floor in a faint.

faint•ly, adv. 
faint•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

faint  (fānt), adj., 

-er, -est, v., n. 

adj. 

1. lacking brightness, vividness, clearness, loudness, strength, etc.:
   a faint light;
   a faint color;
   a faint sound.
2. feeble or slight:
   faint resistance;
   faint praise;
   a faint resemblance.
3. feeling weak, dizzy, or exhausted;
   about to lose consciousness:
   faint with hunger.
4. lacking courage;
   cowardly;
   timorous:
   Faint heart never won fair maid.
5. Law unfounded:
   a faint action.

v.i. 

6. Pathology to lose consciousness temporarily.
7. to lose brightness.
8. [Archaic.] to grow weak;
   lose spirit or courage.

n. 

9. a temporary loss of consciousness resulting from a decreased flow of blood to the brain;
   a swoon:
   to fall into a faint.

• Anglo-French, Old French, past participle of faindre, variant of feindre to feign
• Middle English 1250–1300

faint′er, n. 
faint′ing•ly, adv. 
faint′ish, adj. 
faint′ish•ness, n. 
faint′ly, adv. 
faint′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. indistinct, ill-defined, dim, faded, dull,
• 2. faltering, irresolute, weak.
• 3. languid.
• 4. pusillanimous, fearful, timid, dastardly.
• 6. pass out, black out.