noun
feint
faynt
Feint (noun) means a deceptive move meant to distract an opponent from a real attack. Example: “The boxer threw a feint with his left before landing the real punch with his right.”
noun
1
A deceptive move meant to distract an opponent from a real attack.
"The boxer threw a feint with his left before landing the real punch with his right."
verb
1
To make a deceptive move to distract an opponent.
"She feinted left, then dodged right past the defender."
How to use feint
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fake move in combat or sport meant to trick your opponent into reacting the wrong way.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "feign," which means to fake an emotion or condition rather than make a tactical fake move.
Common pairings
throw a feint
feint left
feint an attack
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Word forms
- Plural
- feints
- Third person singular
- feints
- Past tense
- feinted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The boxer threw a _____ with his left before landing the real punch with his right.
Etymology
From French feinte, "a dummy move," from feindre, "to feign" — ultimately from Latin fingere.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “feint” mean?
The word “feint” means a deceptive move meant to distract an opponent from a real attack. In plain terms, a fake move in combat or sport meant to trick your opponent into reacting the wrong way.
How do you pronounce “feint”?
“Feint” is pronounced faynt (/feɪnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “feint” in a sentence?
Here is “feint” used in a sentence: “The boxer threw a feint with his left before landing the real punch with his right.”
What part of speech is “feint”?
Depending on how it is used, “feint” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “feint” come from?
The word “feint” comes from Latin. From French feinte, "a dummy move," from feindre, "to feign" — ultimately from Latin fingere.
How many meanings does “feint” have?
“Feint” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a deceptive move meant to distract an opponent from a real attack.
