insubstantial
Americanadjective
-
not substantial or real; lacking substance.
an insubstantial world of dreams.
-
not solid or firm; weak; flimsy.
-
not substantial in amount or size; inconsiderable.
an insubstantial sum.
adjective
-
not substantial; flimsy, tenuous, or slight
-
imaginary; unreal
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
Explanation
Insubstantial is an adjective that means lacking form, substance or nutritional value. If you're really hungry, a bowl of clear broth will seem pretty insubstantial. If there is insubstantial evidence to convict an accused criminal, he will be set free. In the office, insubstantial expenses should be paid out of the petty cash draw. A thin blouse is too insubstantial to be worn in this cold weather. And a candy bar makes an insubstantial lunch — a sandwich and fruit would be more nutritious.
Vocabulary lists containing insubstantial
The Grapes of Wrath
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The Graveyard Book
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The Tempest
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Scarlet’s good intentions to end wars by way of sheer determination to do what’s right might prove insubstantial in practice.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026
Every dish you imagine feels either too heavy or too insubstantial.
From Salon • Jan. 29, 2026
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 • Oct. 7, 2025
He went on to call Cole's best verses insubstantial - "a light pack" - and declared he was the Prince to Drake's Michael Jackson.
From BBC • Apr. 5, 2024
“You and everything here appear equally insubstantial from my perspective. Perhaps we will be able to discuss it at greater length another time. Come with me.”
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
