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

Teams are shooting well from 3 against the Knicks, and the pick-and-roll defense has been flimsy. —Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025

Unlike some stackable styles, these aren’t made with flimsy plastic that cracks easily. —Clint Davis, People.com, 23 Feb. 2025

Seven years ago, a product designer named Gilad Nachman began solving the problem caused by the flimsy bags when his fledgling company, Cnoc Outdoors, shipped its first hydration product, called Vecto. —Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 20 Feb. 2025

Thin, flimsy materials can compromise those precise conditions, causing light to leak or heat to escape. —Kate Puhala, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Feb. 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