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

Trump’s negotiators claimed success in getting the Taliban to agree to break ties with al-Qaida, but Curtis calls it a flimsy pledge with weak and meaningless language. —Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025

Then, in 1911, the relatively new state of Italy, using the flimsiest of excuses, invaded what later became Libya. —Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025

At least one other celebrity also had a flimsy relationship with one of Jackson's pets. —Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Somewhere on the fundamental level, the show’s team is missing the point and making up their own, which might not grate as much if the substitution weren’t so flimsy. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 25 Apr. 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