unsubstantial
[ uhn-suh b-stan-shuh l ]
/ ˌʌn səbˈstæn ʃəl /
adjective
not substantial; having no foundation in fact; fanciful; insubstantial: an unsubstantial argument; unsubstantial hopes.
without material substance: an unsubstantial ghost.
lacking material substance; materially paltry: an unsubstantial dinner of bread and cheese.
lacking strength or solidity; flimsy: an unsubstantial wall of cardboard.
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Origin of unsubstantial
late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at un-1, substantial
OTHER WORDS FROM unsubstantial
un·sub·stan·ti·al·i·ty, nounun·sub·stan·tial·ly, adverbWords nearby unsubstantial
unstrung, unstuck, unstudied, unsub, unsubscribe, unsubstantial, unsubstantiated, unsubtle, unsuccess, unsuccessful, unsuitable
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for unsubstantial
British Dictionary definitions for unsubstantial
unsubstantial
/ (ˌʌnsəbˈstænʃəl) /
adjective
lacking weight, strength, or firmness
(esp of an argument) of doubtful validity
of no material existence or substance; unreal
Derived forms of unsubstantial
unsubstantiality, noununsubstantially, adverbCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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