Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

the vapours

noun
/ðə ˈveɪpəz/
Definition
A feeling of faintness or light-headedness, often associated with emotional distress.
Examples
  • She felt the vapours coming on as she waited to deliver her speech.
  • After standing up too quickly, he experienced the vapours and had to sit down.
  • The thought of confronting her long-lost friend gave her the vapours.
Meaning
The vapours usually refer to a temporary sensation of dizziness, weakness, or a sense of impending fainting, often triggered by stress, anxiety, or overwhelming emotions.
Synonyms
  • dizziness
  • faintness
  • light-headedness
  • nausea
  • weakness