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

Dozens of flimsy apartment buildings collapsed; nearly fifteen hundred residents died. —Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026

What the evaluation process actually looks like A major myth says online screens are flimsy or amateurish. —Lucy Jones april 11, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026

While other contestants achieved varying results by playing it straight, Rhod Gilbert tied up Horne instead, leaving Horne unable to untie the flimsy rope that Gilbert fastened around his own wrists. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Apr. 2026

The build quality feels durable and premium, not flimsy like many wagons. —Laura Lu, Parents, 7 Apr. 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