insubstantial

American  

[in-suhb-stan-shuhl] / ˌɪn səbˈstæn ʃəl /

adjective

1. not substantial or real; lacking substance.

   an insubstantial world of dreams.

2. not solid or firm; weak; flimsy.

3. not substantial in amount or size; inconsiderable.

   an insubstantial sum.

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insubstantial British  

/ ˌɪnsəbˈstænʃəl /

adjective

1. not substantial; flimsy, tenuous, or slight

2. imaginary; unreal

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Other Word Forms

• insubstantiality noun
• insubstantially adverb

Etymology

Origin of insubstantial

From the Late Latin word insubstantiālis, dating back to 1600–10. See in- ³, substantial

Example Sentences

Many who do, such as Dan Aykroyd, say very nice things that are insubstantial; Ryan Reynolds is one of the few who comment critically on Mr. Chase’s comedic style, which is highly enlightening.

From The Wall Street Journal

But CBS is already full of people who think they know what they’re doing, who believe they represent hallowed tradition, the so-called Tiffany network, against which the Free Press must seem a tad insubstantial.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bold yet insubstantial, “Love Hurts” insecurely asks the score to do too much work, pounding away at a funky spy track before unconvincingly pivoting to something sincere.

From Los Angeles Times

The UN's cultural agency said that despite "significant growth in production", the business of film-making across the continent was hindered by issues such as piracy, insubstantial training opportunities and a lack of official film institutions.

From BBC

The UN's cultural agency said that despite "significant growth in production", industries across the content were hindered by issues such as piracy, insubstantial training opportunities and a lack of official film institutions.

From BBC

Related Words

• fanciful
• flimsy
• illusory
• puny
• tenuous
• unreal