flimsy

American  

[flim-zee] / ˈflɪm zi /

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

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of flimsy

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

Example Sentences

My parents added flimsy privacy walls, cutting a big room in twos or threes, each the size of a walk-in closet.

From Literature

The kitchen to the left is no better, its counters piled with what I assume are the contents of the cupboards, which stand with their flimsy doors hanging open, empty.

From Literature

The Syrian foreign ministry denounced the attack as "an outrageous assault on Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and called Israel's justification "flimsy pretexts and fabricated excuses".

From BBC

But the key point where these arcs intersect is pretty flimsy, hinging on convincing us that Grace, the greatest guy in the universe, has a personality defect that we don’t believe.

From Los Angeles Times

The sturdy tray table was a dream to work on, unlike the flimsy ones in economy on every airline.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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