faint

So weak that it is difficult to see, hear, or smell.

• We heard a faint sound.
• The writing was too faint to read.
• A faint smell of smoke came from the kitchen.

Similar words: weak, dim, indistinct

Opposites: strong, clear

Common phrases: faint light, faint sound, faint smell

Very small in amount or degree; only slight.

• She gave a faint smile.
• There is a faint chance of success.
• He showed only faint interest in our plan.

Similar words: slight, small, minimal

Opposites: great, considerable

Common phrases: faint hope, faint smile, faint trace

Feeling so weak or dizzy that you might become unconscious.

• I feel faint.
• He became faint in the heat.
• She felt faint after standing up too quickly.

How to use it: faint with something (After walking all day, she was faint with hunger.)

Similar words: lightheaded, weak, dizzy

Common phrases: feel faint, faint with hunger, faint and dizzy

To suddenly become unconscious for a short time.

• He fainted in the kitchen.
• I nearly fainted when I saw the blood.
• Did anyone faint during the long ceremony?

How to use it: faint from something (He fainted from the heat.); faint at something (She fainted at the sight of blood.)

Similar words: pass out, lose consciousness

Common phrases: faint from heat, faint at something, nearly faint, faint from something

To become weaker or less visible until nothing remains.

• The golden clouds fainted away.
• We watched the distant glow faint into darkness.
• As evening fell, the colours began to faint.

Similar words: fade, vanish, disappear

Opposites: appear

Common phrases: faint away, faint into darkness

A short period when someone suddenly becomes unconscious.

• She fell down in a faint.
• He soon recovered from his faint.
• The sudden heat brought on a brief faint.

Similar words: fainting spell, blackout, syncope

Common phrases: in a faint, into a faint, after a faint