flimsy

[flim-zee]

adjective

flimsier, flimsiest 

1. without material strength or solidity.

   a flimsy fabric; a flimsy structure.

   Synonyms: unsteady, unstable, weak, shoddy
   Antonyms: sturdy

2. weak; inadequate; not effective or convincing.

   a flimsy excuse.

   Synonyms: vague, lame, unconvincing

noun

plural

flimsies 

1. a thin kind of paper, especially for use in making several copies at a time of an article, telegraphic dispatch, or the like, as in newspaper work.

2. a copy of a report or dispatch on such paper.

flimsy

/ ˈflɪmzɪ /

adjective

1. not strong or substantial; fragile

   a flimsy building

2. light and thin

   a flimsy dress

3. unconvincing or inadequate; weak

   a flimsy excuse

noun

1. thin paper used for making carbon copies of a letter, etc

2. a copy made on such paper

3. a slang word for banknote

Other Word Forms

• flimsily adverb
• flimsiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of flimsy¹

1695–1705; flim- (perhaps metathetic variant of film ) + -sy

Word History and Origins

Origin of flimsy¹

C17: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

The Chobot-Collier team never speaks to the authorities, or any police at all, save for the handlers of a cadaver dog used in a search for Theresa’s body, an effort launched on the flimsiest lead.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Still, it’s Delbis’ Don, with his halting speech and flimsy grasp of the stakes, who really breaks your heart.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Romance is a bruising, brutal—and even nausea-inducing—business in “Let’s Love!,” a flimsy and forgettable evening of three ostensibly comic short plays by Ethan Coen at the Atlantic Theater Company.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If existing rules against putting to sea in flimsy, unlicensed and overcrowded boats were enforced, he thinks many lives would be saved.

Read more on BBC

I crouch on the floor and ruthlessly Google image search nearly every piece, sweating profusely under the flimsy output of a nearby fan and the confused gaze of the guy behind the counter.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chiffon 
• decrepit 
• feeble 
• insubstantial 
• rickety 
• shaky 
• tacky