What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Faint vs Slight - What's the difference?

faint | slight | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between faint and slight

is that faint is lacking strength; weak; languid; inclined to swoon; as, faint with fatigue, hunger, or thirst while slight is small, weak, or gentle; not decidedly marked; not forcible; inconsiderable; unimportant; insignificant; not severe.

As nouns the difference between faint and slight

is that faint is the act of fainting while slight is the act of slighting; a deliberate act of neglect or discourtesy.

As verbs the difference between faint and slight

is that faint is to lose consciousness. Caused by a lack of oxygen or nutrients to the brain, usually as a result of a suddenly reduced blood flow (may be caused by emotional trauma, loss of blood or various medical conditions) while slight is to treat as slight or not worthy of attention, to make light of.

faint

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Lacking strength; weak; languid; inclined to swoon; as, faint with fatigue, hunger, or thirst.
  • Wanting in courage, spirit, or energy; timorous; cowardly; dejected; depressed.
  • "Faint heart ne'er won fair lady." Robert Burns - To Dr. Blackjack.
  • Lacking distinctness; hardly perceptible; striking the senses feebly; not bright, or loud, or sharp, or forcible; weak; as, a faint color, or sound.
  • Performed, done, or acted, in a weak or feeble manner; not exhibiting vigor, strength, or energy; slight; as, faint efforts; faint resistance.
  • * Sir J. Davies
  • the faint prosecution of the war
  • * 2005 , .
  • do you have the faintest understanding of what they mean?

    Derived terms

    * damn with faint praise

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The act of fainting.
  • (rare) The state of one who has fainted; a swoon.
  • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To lose consciousness. Caused by a lack of oxygen or nutrients to the brain, usually as a result of a suddenly reduced blood flow (may be caused by emotional trauma, loss of blood or various medical conditions).
  • * Bible, Mark viii. 8
  • If I send them away fasting they will faint by the way.
  • * Guardian
  • Hearing the honour intended her, she fainted away.
  • To sink into dejection; to lose courage or spirit; to become depressed or despondent.
  • * Bible, Proverbs xxiv. 10
  • If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
  • To decay; to disappear; to vanish.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • Gilded clouds, while we gaze upon them, faint before the eye.

    Synonyms

    * pass out * queal * swoon

    Anagrams

    * * ----

    slight

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Small, weak or gentle; not decidedly marked; not forcible; inconsiderable; unimportant; insignificant; not severe.
  • * (Alexander Pope) (1688-1744)
  • Slight is the subject, but not so the praise.
  • * (John Locke) (1632-1705)
  • Some firmly embrace doctrines upon slight grounds.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)
  • , chapter=2 citation , passage=Mother very rightly resented the slightest hint of condescension. She considered that the exclusiveness of Peter's circle was due not to its distinction, but to the fact that it was an inner Babylon of prodigality and whoredom,
  • Not stout or heavy; slender.
  • * Sir (Walter Scott) (1771-1832)
  • his own figure, which was formerly so slight
  • (obsolete) Foolish; silly; weak in intellect.
  • (Hudibras)

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * slightish * slightly * slightness

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To treat as slight or not worthy of attention, to make light of.
  • * Cowper
  • the wretch who slights the bounty of the skies
  • To treat with disdain or neglect.
  • To act negligently or carelessly.
  • (military, of a fortification) To render no longer defensible by full or partial demolition.
  • (Clarendon)
  • To make even or level.
  • (Hexham)
  • To throw heedlessly.
  • * Shakespeare
  • The rogue slighted me into the river.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * slightingly

    Noun

    (wikipedia slight) (en noun)
  • The act of slighting; a deliberate act of neglect or discourtesy.
  • * (Benjamin Franklin)
  • Never use a slighting expression to her, even in jest; for slights in jest, after frequent bandyings, are apt to end in angry earnest.
  • Sleight.
  • (Spenser)

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * put a slight upon

    References

    (Webster 1913)

    Anagrams

    * lights