adv
faintly
FAYNT-lee
Faintly (adv) means In a barely noticeable or weak manner. Example: “The music played faintly in the background.”
adv
1
In a barely noticeable or weak manner.
"The music played faintly in the background."
"She smiled faintly and said nothing."
How to use faintly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWeakly or barely — used for sounds, smells, light, or feelings that are hard to detect.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like faintly.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- faintlier
- Superlative
- faintliest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The music played _____ in the background.
Etymology
Traces back to Middle English feintli, feintliche, equivalent to faint + -ly.
Rhymes for faintly
See all rhymes for faintly →Frequently asked questions
What does “faintly” mean?
The word “faintly” means in a barely noticeable or weak manner. In plain terms, weakly or barely — used for sounds, smells, light, or feelings that are hard to detect.
How do you pronounce “faintly”?
“Faintly” is pronounced FAYNT-lee (/ˈfeɪntli/ in IPA).
How do you use “faintly” in a sentence?
Here is “faintly” used in a sentence: “The music played faintly in the background.”
What part of speech is “faintly”?
“Faintly” is an adverb.
