unsubstantial

American  

[uhn-suhb-stan-shuhl] / ˌʌn səbˈstæn ʃəl /

adjective

1. not substantial; having no foundation in fact; fanciful; insubstantial.

   an unsubstantial argument; unsubstantial hopes.

2. without material substance.

   an unsubstantial ghost.

3. lacking material substance; materially paltry.

   an unsubstantial dinner of bread and cheese.

4. lacking strength or solidity; flimsy.

   an unsubstantial wall of cardboard.

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unsubstantial British  

/ ˌʌnsəbˈstænʃəl /

adjective

1. lacking weight, strength, or firmness

2. (esp of an argument) of doubtful validity

3. of no material existence or substance; unreal

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Other Word Forms

• unsubstantiality
  noun
• unsubstantially
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of unsubstantial

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at un- ¹, substantial

Example Sentences

Unsubstantial as Duessa or Armida or Circe or Morgan le Fay are the witch-queen of the Wood beyond the World and the sorceress of the enchanted Isle of Increase Unsought.

From A History of English Romanticism in the Nineteenth Century by Beers, Henry A. (Henry Augustin)

Governesses who betray Little love for your employment, If a fairy bade you say What would give you most enjoyment, Would your fancy not pursue Unsubstantial shadows too?

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 146, June 17, 1914 by Seaman, Owen, Sir

Unsubstantial shapes of foam held hands in continuous array below the waves, lit by soft-sea-lanterns strung together along the steamer's sides.

From The Centaur by Blackwood, Algernon

Unsubstantial it may be, but frivolous it certainly isn't.

From Caesar's Wife A comedy in three acts by Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset)

Unsubstantial, un-sub-stan′shal, adj. not substantial, not real, not solid or strong.—v.t.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various