verb
swoon
swoon
Swoon (verb) means to faint or become lightheaded, especially from strong emotion. Example: “She nearly swooned at the sight of the accident.”
verb
1
To faint or become lightheaded, especially from strong emotion.
"She nearly swooned at the sight of the accident."
2
To be overwhelmed with delight or admiration, especially romantic infatuation.
"Fans swooned whenever the singer walked on stage."
noun
1
A fainting spell, or a state of overwhelming delight.
"He fell into a swoon after hearing the shocking news."
How to use swoon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo faint, or (more commonly today) to be completely charmed or smitten by someone.
When to use it
The romantic "smitten" sense is common in casual and pop-culture writing.
Common pairings
swoon over
fans swoon
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Word forms
- Plural
- swoons
- Third person singular
- swoons
- Past tense
- swooned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She nearly _____ at the sight of the accident.
Etymology
From Middle English swoune, related to an old verb describing the act of fainting.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for swoon
See all rhymes for swoon →Frequently asked questions
What does “swoon” mean?
The word “swoon” means to faint or become lightheaded, especially from strong emotion. In plain terms, to faint, or (more commonly today) to be completely charmed or smitten by someone.
How do you pronounce “swoon”?
“Swoon” is pronounced swoon (/swuːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “swoon” in a sentence?
Here is “swoon” used in a sentence: “She nearly swooned at the sight of the accident.”
What part of speech is “swoon”?
Depending on how it is used, “swoon” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “swoon” come from?
The word “swoon” comes from Middle English. From Middle English swoune, related to an old verb describing the act of fainting.
How many meanings does “swoon” have?
“Swoon” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to faint or become lightheaded, especially from strong emotion.
