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 of flimsy

Adjective

• unsubstantial
• insubstantial
• fragile
• gossamer
• gauzy
• sheer
• delicate
• filmy
• sleazy
• frothy
• fine
• feeble
• cobwebby
• transparent

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

Gone are the flimsy cardboard bed frames of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, held during the COVID-19 pandemic. —Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026

Just like flimsy wire and plastic hangers have no place in your closet, neither do bulky ones. —Abbie Harrison, Martha Stewart, 3 Feb. 2026

At first, its proliferation seemed to constitute a typical case of Hollywood copycatting; Big Little Lies becomes a smash, wins eight Emmys, begets flimsy imitations that lots of people watch anyway. —Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026

Early warning is rudimentary and community liaison mechanisms are flimsy. —Obi Anyadike, semafor.com, 26 Jan. 2026

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