faints
B2formal, medical, general
Definition
Meaning
The third verb form and plural noun meaning 'to lose consciousness temporarily; a temporary loss of consciousness'.
As a verb: (third person singular present) loses consciousness. As a noun (plural): episodes of unconsciousness; spirits from the distillation process. As an adjective: describes a person prone to fainting.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Most commonly used as a verb ('she faints'). As a countable plural noun ('she has frequent faints') it is less common and often replaced by 'fainting spells' or 'fainting episodes'. The noun 'faints' in a distilling context is highly technical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Very little difference in core meaning. US English might use 'passes out' more frequently in informal contexts where UK might retain 'faints'. The noun form 'the faints' (as episodes) is archaic/medical in both.
Connotations
Slightly more formal/medical in US English; can be used in general British English without strong medical overtones.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties. The verb form is more common than the noun plural.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + faintsSubject + faints + Prepositional Phrase (at/from/due to)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “faint of heart (adj. phrase, not directly related)”
- “not for the faint-hearted”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in contexts of workplace health ('An employee faints on the shop floor.').
Academic
Used in medical, psychological, and historical texts.
Everyday
Common for describing sudden loss of consciousness ('If she sees blood, she faints.').
Technical
In medicine: 'The patient faints during tilt-table testing.' In distilling: 'The faints are collected separately.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She often faints if she doesn't eat regularly.
- One frequently faints in such extreme heat.
- He nearly faints from the shock.
American English
- He faints every time he gets a shot.
- If the room gets too crowded, she faints.
- The soldier faints from dehydration.
adjective
British English
- She is a faints-prone individual.
- The faints patient was moved to recovery.
American English
- He's known to be faints susceptible.
- Monitor the faints participant closely.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She faints when she is very scared.
- My friend faints in hot buses.
- The patient faints occasionally due to low blood pressure.
- If you stand up too quickly, you might faint.
- The historical account describes how ladies of the court would suffer from frequent faints.
- He almost faints from the combination of heat and exhaustion.
- The distiller carefully separated the faints from the usable spirits during the final run.
- Vasovagal syncope is the condition where one faints in response to certain triggers.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PAINT can falling over - the 'PA' is replaced by 'FA' - when someone FAINTS, they fall over like a dropped can.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSCIOUSNESS IS A FLUID/ELECTRICAL CURRENT ('She drained away into unconsciousness', 'The lights went out').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'обморок' (singular noun) - 'faints' is plural or verb. The verb 'падать в обморок' is a phrase, not a single word.
- Avoid direct translation of 'she faints' as 'она слабая' (she is weak) - it describes an action, not a permanent state.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'faints' as a singular noun (incorrect: 'He had a faint.' Correct: 'He had a fainting spell' or 'He fainted.').
- Misspelling as 'feints' (which means deceptive moves).
Practice
Quiz
In a technical distilling context, 'faints' refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the singular noun is 'faint'. 'Faints' is the plural noun form (e.g., 'She has had several faints this year'), though this usage is less common than 'fainting spells'.
'Faint' is more formal and can be used medically. 'Pass out' is more informal. There is no significant difference in meaning.
Not precisely. 'Faints' or 'fainting' implies a complete loss of consciousness. Feeling dizzy or lightheaded is a precursor, often described as 'feeling faint' (adjective).
Yes, it is often confused with 'feints', which are deceptive movements in sports or warfare. Remember: FAINT relates to loss of strength/consciousness; FEINT relates to deception.