fainted

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'fainted' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an intransitive verb that means to pass out suddenly from weakness, surprise, fear, or loss of blood supply, usually followed by a quick recovery. Example: After hearing the loud noise, John fainted and had to be helped to his feet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We chat with the others and collect tales of how everyone is getting on: someone claims to have seen a porcupine; another has fallen and broken their arm; a murder squad policeman has fainted at the sight of a bloodied blister.

The Guardian - Travel

Crump told the Guardian that Zambrano-Montes's mother, 60-year-old Agapita Montes-Rivera, who has travelled from Mexico following the shooting, fainted when she saw her son's body for the first time on Monday afternoon.

The Guardian

Amnesty found that detainees on Manus Island "have fainted from heat stroke because they are forced to queue for hours in the sun for food".

The Guardian - Opinion

Many of my workmates have fainted in the fields.

The Guardian

Brooke Graham, a reporter for the American station KUTV, fainted on air in January during a live interview about cross-country skiing in Utah.

The Guardian - Sport

I've fainted.

The Guardian

Only when the infirm Abu Ahmad himself fainted in front of the border guards did they let him through, citing an exception for medical emergencies.Abu Ahmad is one of the lucky ones.

The Economist

Mr Bush fainted and collapsed but later resumed a tour of the country with no apparent ill effects apart from a large bruise on his cheek.Zone of uncertaintyColombia's peace process limped on.

The Economist

One night, after eating his usual austere supper, with his sisters, of chicken broth, white rice, salad and milk pudding, the President fainted when he stood up to go to bed.

The Economist

The final panel shows a 14-year-old Marjane boarding a plane, looking back to see her mother fainted in her father's arms".Persepolis 2" begins in Vienna, with Marjane wading through an awkward adolescence, confronting the typical trials of a thoughtful outsider.

The Economist

The ghost of Abraham Lincoln so frightened a Dutch queen that she fainted.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone who "fainted", provide context about potential causes like heat, stress, or medical conditions to offer a clearer understanding of the situation.

Common error

While "fainted" is perfectly acceptable, in more formal or medical contexts, consider using phrases like "lost consciousness" or "experienced syncope" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "fainted" functions primarily as a past tense verb, indicating that someone has experienced a brief loss of consciousness. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its usage in narrative and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "fainted" is a past tense verb used to describe a brief loss of consciousness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, more formal settings may prefer alternatives such as "lost consciousness". Ludwig's examples underscore its role in conveying drama, describing medical events, and depicting emotional reactions. Common causes of fainting include dehydration, overheating and stress, while it can be replaced with similar meaning phrases like "passed out" or "blacked out".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passed out

This phrase is a more informal way to say someone lost consciousness.

fell unconscious

This is a direct and straightforward alternative to "fainted".

lost consciousness

This is a more clinical and formal way to describe fainting.

blacked out

This phrase emphasizes the sudden and temporary nature of the loss of consciousness.

had a blackout

Similar to 'blacked out', this implies a short and sudden loss of consciousness or memory.

swooned

This term is more old-fashioned and often implies a romantic or dramatic context.

collapsed

This suggests a sudden fall due to loss of strength, which may or may not involve loss of consciousness.

became unresponsive

Describes a state where the person does not react to stimuli, often including a loss of consciousness.

lost awareness

This suggests a general lack of consciousness, including a lapse in attention and understanding.

had a syncopal episode

This is a medical term for fainting, typically used in clinical settings.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "fainted"?

To say someone "fainted" means they briefly lost consciousness, typically due to a temporary reduction of blood flow to the brain. It's similar to saying they "passed out" or "lost consciousness".

What are some common causes of fainting?

Common causes of fainting include dehydration, overheating, sudden changes in posture, emotional stress, and certain medical conditions. If someone "fainted", it's often important to rule out any serious underlying issues.

How to use "fainted" in a sentence?

You can use "fainted" to describe someone losing consciousness briefly. For example, "She "fainted" after standing in the sun for too long", or "He "fainted" at the sight of blood".

Which is a more formal way to say someone "fainted"?

A more formal way to say someone "fainted" is to say they "lost consciousness" or "experienced syncope". These terms are often used in medical or clinical contexts.