Fainthearted means lacking courage or easily discouraged when facing something difficult or frightening. A fainthearted person gives up quickly when things get hard or scary, instead of pushing through challenges.

You might hear someone say “this trail is not for the fainthearted” before a steep mountain climb, meaning it takes real determination and bravery. Or a coach might tell the team that “victory isn't for the fainthearted” when they're facing a tough opponent.

The word combines faint, meaning weak, with hearted, suggesting that someone's inner strength or courage feels small. Think of the difference between a student who tackles a challenging math problem with determination versus one who immediately says “I can't do this” without really trying.

Fainthearted often appears in its opposite form: people describe adventures, pioneers, or anyone tackling something difficult as “not for the fainthearted.” When Lewis and Clark explored unknown territory, or when scientists work on seemingly impossible problems, they show they're anything but fainthearted.