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; un- ¹, substantial

Example Sentences

Human rights groups have long complained of the dire conditions Makala inmates face, including overcrowding, unsubstantial food and poor access to clean water.

From BBC • Sep. 7, 2024

A skimpy stained chair rail can look unsubstantial and dated.

From Washington Post • Mar. 2, 2022

“And he proved himself to be a callow, unsubstantial, often dimwitted person.”

From New York Times • Jun. 30, 2021

While Dee’s contribution is not unsubstantial, the structure, tone, character, percussion writing, harmony and counterpoint are pure Harrison.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2020

It was turning colder and the air was heavy with the threat of rain, but the kind of rain that on cool mornings is bled out of the unsubstantial flesh of the fog.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy