flimsy

[ flim-zee ]

adjective

, flim·si·er, flim·si·est.

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: unconvincing, vague, lame

noun

, plural flim·sies.

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

/ 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

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

Derived Forms

• ˈflimsiness, noun
• ˈflimsily, adverb

Other Words From

• flimsi·ly adverb
• flimsi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of flimsy¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of flimsy¹

C17: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Beans is never fazed by the challenge, but the characters can’t help but come across as flimsy masks.

From Los Angeles Times

The journey Thanh described is now an established route from Vietnam to the UK - a path heavily promoted by smugglers on Facebook, who charge clients for forged documents, flights, buses, and a place on a flimsy rubber boat.

From BBC

Comparing one to a “death trap”, he says it would be “appallingly dangerous” to pack dozens of people onto these boats for a Channel crossing, because of what appears to be a “tremendously flimsy” design.

From BBC

Before the self-service grocery, outlets required patrons to show up with detailed lists of items they needed and hand those lists to a clerk who would gather the items, which were either loose in bins or in flimsy generic packaging with no ingredients or labels.

From Los Angeles Times

Tucci’s notes that Christl’s versions look more beautiful than the actual garments, which are a “little flimsy.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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