faint

[/feɪnt/]

adjective/verb/noun

fraco/desmaiar/fraca

1. lacking strength or brightness; barely perceptible

There was a faint smell of perfume in the room.

Havia um cheiro fraco de perfume no quarto.

2. to lose consciousness temporarily

She felt dizzy and thought she might faint.

Ela se sentiu tonta e pensou que poderia desmaiar.

3. lacking courage or conviction

He made a faint attempt to protest.

Ele fez uma tentativa fraca de protestar.

4. a temporary loss of consciousness

She had a faint during the ceremony.

Ela teve um desmaio durante a cerimônia.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

desmaiar/fraco

standard usage for both verb and adjective forms

São Paulo

desmaiar/fraco

common in urban speech

Portugal

desfalecimento/fraco

desfalecimento is more formal; fraco is standard

faint of heart - not brave or courageous (covarde de coração)

faint praise - praise that is not sincere or enthusiastic (elogio fraco/insincero)

haven't the faintest idea - have no idea at all (não ter a menor ideia)

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