flimsy

1 of 2

adjective

flim·​sy ˈflim-zē 

flimsier; flimsiest

1

a

: lacking in physical strength or substance

flimsy silks

wore a flimsy dress

b

: of inferior materials and workmanship

flimsy construction

2

: having little worth or plausibility

a flimsy excuse

a movie with a flimsy plot

flimsily

ˈflim-zə-lē 

adverb

flimsiness

ˈflim-zē-nəs 

noun

flimsy

2 of 2

noun

plural flimsies

chiefly British

: a lightweight paper used especially for multiple copies

also : a document printed on flimsy

Synonyms

Adjective

• cobwebby
• filmy
• frothy
• gauzy
• gossamer
• gossamery
• insubstantial
• sleazy
• unsubstantial

Examples of flimsy in a Sentence

Adjective

a flimsy piece of material

They have only the flimsiest of evidence against him.

a movie with a flimsy plot

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But this Dumbo is as flimsy and devoid of emotion as a circus act, relying too heavily on the CGI elephant to generate any real flights of fantasy. —Staff Author, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025

Some are cheap, flimsy and ugly, while others are expensive, sturdy and elegant. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025

Not only were the first issues of modest distinction and sales; Harold Ross, its founding editor, nearly lost the whole flimsy enterprise in an all-night poker game. —David Remnick, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

There, the flimsy divide between low- and middle-income workers wouldn’t be concretized through housing policy. —Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

perhaps alteration of film entry 1 + -sy (as in tricksy)

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1814, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

flimsy

adjective

flim·​sy

ˈflim-zē

flimsier; flimsiest

1

: not strong or solid

flimsy clothes

a flimsy old car

2

: not likely or convincing

a flimsy excuse

a movie with a flimsy plot

flimsily

-zə-lē

adverb

flimsiness

-zē-nəs

noun