insubstantial

[ in-suhb-stan-shuhl ]
See synonyms for: insubstantialinsubstantiality on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. not substantial or real; lacking substance: an insubstantial world of dreams.

  2. not solid or firm; weak; flimsy.

  1. not substantial in amount or size; inconsiderable: an insubstantial sum.

Origin of insubstantial

1
From the Late Latin word insubstantiālis, dating back to 1600–10. See in-3, substantial

Other words from insubstantial

  • in·sub·stan·ti·al·i·ty, noun
  • in·sub·stan·tial·ly, adverb

Words Nearby insubstantial

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use insubstantial in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for insubstantial

insubstantial

/ (ˌɪnsəbˈstænʃəl) /


adjective
  1. not substantial; flimsy, tenuous, or slight

  2. imaginary; unreal

Derived forms of insubstantial

  • insubstantiality, noun
  • insubstantially, adverb

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