flimsy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Informal
Quick answer
What does “flimsy” mean?
Lacking solidity, strength, or substance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Lacking solidity, strength, or substance; easily damaged or broken; unconvincing.
Used to describe physical objects that are thin and weak, arguments or excuses that are poorly constructed and easy to refute, and materials that offer little protection or durability.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the word identically.
Connotations
Identical negative connotations of poor quality, weakness, or insubstantiality in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “flimsy” in a Sentence
[adj.] + [noun] (a flimsy excuse)be + [adj.] (The evidence is flimsy.)too + [adj.] + to-inf (too flimsy to hold)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flimsy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Flimsy is not used as a verb.
American English
- Flimsy is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Flimsily (rare). The shed was flimsily constructed.
American English
- Flimsily (rare). The evidence was flimsily presented.
adjective
British English
- She wrote the note on a flimsy bit of paper.
- The detective saw through his flimsy alibi.
American English
- The tent was made of flimsy nylon.
- They built a flimsy case against the defendant.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The business plan was rejected for its flimsy financial projections."
Academic
"The theory rests on flimsy empirical foundations."
Everyday
"This plastic bag is too flimsy for all these groceries."
Technical
"The material's flimsy nature made it unsuitable for load-bearing applications."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flimsy”
- Using it for people (e.g., 'a flimsy person' is odd; use 'weak' or 'feeble'). Overusing for emotional states (e.g., 'flimsy feelings' is uncommon).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not typically for their physical build (use 'slight' or 'frail'). It's very unusual and negatively connoted if used for a person's character, implying weakness or lack of substance.
Flimsiness (e.g., 'the flimsiness of the argument'). Informally, 'a flimsy' can refer to a thin piece of paper, especially a banknote or document.
Yes. 'Fragile' primarily means 'easily broken' and can be neutral (fragile glass). 'Flimsy' adds a judgement of poor design, cheap materials, or inherent weakness, often implying it shouldn't have been so weak.
Extremely rarely. It almost always carries a negative connotation. A possible positive use might be in fashion ('a flimsy summer dress') to denote desirable lightness, but even then, it hints at a lack of durability.
Lacking solidity, strength, or substance.
Flimsy is usually neutral to informal in register.
Flimsy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflɪmzi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflɪmzi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not a common idiom component]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of FILM – something thin and see-through. 'Flimsy' is like 'filmy' – thin, weak, and easily torn.
Conceptual Metaphor
LACK OF SUBSTANCE IS PHYSICAL WEAKNESS / UNCONVINCING IS FRAGILE (e.g., a flimsy argument can be 'torn apart').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'flimsy' LEAST appropriate?