insubstantial

[ in-suhb-stan-shuhl ]

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.

insubstantial

/ ˌɪnsəbˈstænʃəl /

adjective

1. not substantial; flimsy, tenuous, or slight
2. imaginary; unreal

Derived Forms

• ˌinsubˌstantiˈality, noun
• ˌinsubˈstantially, adverb

Other Words From

• insub·stanti·ali·ty noun
• insub·stantial·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of insubstantial¹

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

Example Sentences

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

Otis Jones IV’s Will, the character whose plans to run off with Johnny are upended by his girlfriend’s pregnancy, and Landen Gonzales’ Tunny, who chooses the military route as his answer only to be seriously wounded in combat, are treated almost as spectral presences, insubstantial and more or less tangential.

From Los Angeles Times

An August sit-down with CNN’s Dana Bash, with her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz beside her, was painted as a Milk Bone toss to a ravenous wolf pack – an amuse bouche too insubstantial to sate.

From Salon

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

It’s a majority white district, with not insubstantial Asian and Latino populations.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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