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

“It hit me how flimsy the evidence was against her,” Yates said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The case against former FBI Director James Comey grows flimsier by the day.

Read more on Salon

He’s shaken down the media with flimsy lawsuits that some of the biggest companies elected to settle instead of battling.

Read more on Salon

New England—4-13 the past two seasons—is benefiting from a squishy schedule and a flimsy division.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In 2024, the 35-year-old placed 144 Amazon orders for everything from a flimsy hand towel holder to a multicolored pack of eight Apple watch bands that she had to cut to fit her wrist.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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