faint
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for faint, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Barely perceptible; weak in intensity.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use faint
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French faint/feint, "feigned" or "sluggish," ultimately from Latin fingere, "to shape or contrive" — a distant relative of "feign" and "fiction."
Full origin of faint →Frequently asked questions
What does “faint” mean?
The word “faint” means barely perceptible; weak in intensity. In plain terms, weak or barely noticeable, or, as a verb, to briefly pass out.
How do you pronounce “faint”?
“Faint” is pronounced faynt (/feɪnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “faint” in a sentence?
Here is “faint” used in a sentence: “There was a faint smell of smoke in the hallway.”
What is another word for “faint”?
Words with a similar meaning to “faint” include queal.
What part of speech is “faint”?
Depending on how it is used, “faint” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “faint” come from?
The word “faint” comes from Latin. From Old French faint/feint, "feigned" or "sluggish," ultimately from Latin fingere, "to shape or contrive" — a distant relative of "feign" and "fiction.".
Is “faint” a common word?
“Faint” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “faint” have?
“Faint” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: barely perceptible; weak in intensity.
What is the difference between faint and queal?
Faint is the standard, widely used word for losing consciousness briefly or for something barely perceptible, while queal is a listed synonym that is far less common in everyday use. Faint also functions as an adjective describing weak intensity, such as a faint smell or faint sound, a sense queal does not typically cover.
What is the difference between faint and dizzy?
Feeling faint suggests being close to losing consciousness, often with weakness or lightheadedness as described in its adjective sense. Dizzy refers more specifically to a spinning or unbalanced sensation, which can be a symptom that leads to fainting but is not the same as fainting itself.
What causes a person to faint?
A person faints, or loses consciousness briefly, usually from a temporary lack of blood flow to the brain, which can be triggered by standing up too quickly, stress, heat, or low blood sugar. Fainting is typically brief, with consciousness returning once blood flow is restored.