faintheart
LowLiterary, Archaic
Definition
Meaning
A person who is lacking in courage; a coward.
Someone who is easily discouraged or lacks resolution and boldness, particularly in facing difficulty, danger, or pain.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. The term has an old-fashioned, literary quality and is often used in a slightly archaic or poetic context, sometimes as a term of mild reproach.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is rare in both varieties but more likely to be found in historical fiction or literary contexts in British English.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of old-fashioned moral judgment. Not typically a severe insult but implies disappointing lack of bravery.
Frequency
Very low frequency in modern speech or writing for both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] is a faintheart.[Direct Object] call [Indirect Object] a faintheart.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Faint heart never won fair lady.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in a metaphorical sense: 'No fainthearts can survive in this competitive market.'
Academic
Mostly found in historical or literary analysis discussing character traits.
Everyday
Almost never used in casual modern conversation.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- (The adjective is 'fainthearted') He was too fainthearted to confront the bully.
- (The adjective is 'fainthearted') A fainthearted attempt was made.
American English
- (The adjective is 'fainthearted') She dismissed his fainthearted proposal.
- (The adjective is 'fainthearted') Don't be fainthearted now.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He called me a faintheart, but I was just scared.
- Don't be such a faintheart; the roller coaster is safe!
- The general had no patience for fainthearts in his ranks.
- Accused of being a faintheart, she resolved to prove her mettle in the coming challenge.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a heart (the symbol of courage) that grows faint (weak) at the first sign of trouble.
Conceptual Metaphor
COURAGE IS STRENGTH OF HEART; LACK OF COURAGE IS A WEAK/FAINT HEART.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'слабое сердце' (weak heart), which refers to a medical condition. The correct conceptual equivalent is 'трус' (coward).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'faint-heart' (with hyphen) is common but the solid form 'faintheart' is standard for the noun.
- Using it as an adjective (should be 'fainthearted').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'faintheart' MOST likely to be found?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered archaic or literary and is very rarely used in modern everyday English.
The adjective form is 'fainthearted', as in 'a fainthearted attempt'.
No, 'faintheart' is exclusively a noun. There is no verb form derived directly from it.
It is most famously used in the proverb 'Faint heart never won fair lady', meaning one must be bold to achieve one's desires.
Explore