Are you writing a scene in your novel where a character faints? This post is for you. Scroll down to get some suggestions on how to describe someone fainting in a story by using the following terms.
1. Black Out
Definition
Becoming unconscious suddenly but for a short amount of time.
Examples
“After drinking heavily, he suddenly blacked out and couldn’t remember anything that happened afterwards.”
“The intense heat made her feel dizzy and she blacked out, waking up a few minutes later on the ground.”
How it Adds Description
Alongside letting your reader know that a character has fainted, if they have “blacked out,” this could also imply a loss of memory. It’s up to you how important the memories and events are that the character may have forgotten!
2. Collapsing
Definition
Falling or passing out due to sickness or weakness.
Examples
“As soon as the athlete crossed the finish line, he collapsed, his legs unable to keep him upright any longer.”
“As soon as she saw how high up she was, the girl collapsed to the floor in sheer terror.”
How it Adds Description
Describing someone as “collapsing” when they faint helps you to describe the movement that they make as they fall and lose consciousness. It creates the perfect juxtaposition between someone who is one moment strong and standing tall and the next a crumpled heap on the floor.
3. Keel Over
Definition
To fall over suddenly.
Examples
“As they continued to walk, suddenly their guide keeled over, taking everyone by surprise.”
“As the tension built up during the intense business negotiation, one of the participants suddenly keeled over, overcome by the stress and pressure.”
How it Adds Description
Originally a nautical term, “keeling over” is now something that can be attributed to someone falling over or collapsing. It is a sudden, rigid movement, so using this as a way to describe someone fainting is a great way to keep your characters and your reader on their toes!
4. Knocked Out
Definition
Losing consciousness thanks to a physical blow, usually to the head.
Examples
“The boxer delivered a powerful punch to his opponent’s jaw, causing him to fall to the ground and be knocked out cold.”
“As she traversed the mountainous terrain her foot slipped on some loose ground causing her to lose her balance. Tumbling backward, her fall was broken by a rock, immediately knocking her out.”
How it Adds Description
“Knocked out” helps you to describe the unconsciousness that comes with physical trauma. Often these might happen in the action genre during a fight or can be suspenseful moments where a character’s life is in danger.
5. Out Like a Light
Definition
To become unconscious quickly.
Examples
“As soon as she heard the hissing of the gas she knew she was in danger. Before she could react she was out like a light.”
“The driver of the car had hit his head on the steering wheel and gone out like a light during the crash, leaving her the only one awake and conscious inside the smoking vehicle.”
How it Adds Description
Sometimes when someone faints it is as if someone has flicked some sort of off switch inside their head. If you need to illustrate to your reader just how quickly someone has fallen unconscious, consider using the idiom “out like a light”.
6. Pass Out
Definition
Becoming unconscious for a short time, usually when ill, badly hurt, or drunk.
Examples
“As soon as she saw the needle, her knees weakened and her vision blurred, and then she passed out onto the floor.”
“It looked like the competition at the bar were too much for him. Crashing his shot glass down on the table his head soon followed as he passed out.”
How it Adds Description
“Pass out” can help you to describe a brief fainting spell in your story. Usually when someone passes out it is not due to as serious a cause as other types of fainting: perhaps the character drank too much or saw something scary?
7. Swooning
Definition
- To faint.
- To experience extreme pleasure or happiness.
Examples
“The damsel swooned in the knight’s arms, overwhelmed by his chivalrous demeanor and heroic rescue.”
“At the sight of the gruesome scene, the young woman felt herself swoon, slipping away into darkness to end in a crumpled heap on the floor.”
How it Adds Description
“Swooning” is one of the most classic literary terms when it comes to fainting, making it a perfect choice if your story is set in or takes inspiration from the past. Many fair maidens swoon in tales of legend, and it was a common cliffhanger for 19th century novels. It can also help you to describe someone fainting when they are overcome by emotion rather than a physical factor.
8. Syncope
Definition
A period of time where a person is unconscious.
Examples
“The doctors knew that they had to keep him awake at all costs. If he fell into syncope now there was a high possibility he would never wake again.”
“Although most of the side effects of the medication were harmless, the word “syncope” in bold lettering on the side of the bottle worried her a little.”
How it Adds Description
“Syncope” is the medical term for being unconscious, so it is a great word choice if you need to create realism in a medical setting or in relation to medicine in your story. It may be that your characters, as well as your readers, may be confused when it is mentioned, making the idea of fainting more of a shock when a medical professional reveals the meaning!
9. Tumble
Definition
Falling quickly and without control.
Examples
“The old man lost his balance, tumbling down the stairs and bumping his head.”
“In her excitement, the little girl lost control of her footing, tumbling down the hill to land in a heap at the bottom.”
How it Adds Description
“Tumble” helps you to be able to describe the motion one might take when fainting. It helps to illustrate to your reader the lack of control your character has not only over their body, but also their surroundings.
10. Unconscious
Definition
Not being awake and aware of what is going on around you.
Examples
“After being struck on the head, he stumbled for a moment before falling unconscious to the ground.
“The stifling heat caused her to lose hold of her senses, before she ended up unconscious in the desert sands.”
How it Adds Description
Although it may not seem like the most imaginative choice out there, using “unconscious” to describe someone who has fainted still has its benefits. For example, it can help you to illustrate just how out of it they are, and also how vulnerable they might be to other events and characters in your story.