insubstantial

[ in-suh b-stan-shuh l ]

/ ˌɪn səbˈstæn ʃəl /

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

not solid or firm; weak; flimsy.

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

Origin of insubstantial

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

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

His aspect was as insubstantial as fog, dreams, or an expelled breath, and in this he resembled billions of human beings.

3 Must-Read Offbeat Novels: ‘A Million Heavens,’ ‘The Investigation,’ ‘Office Girl’ |Drew Toal, Kevin Canfield, Daniel Roberts |July 6, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
After a brief market rally on Monday, confidence was snuffed out as traders reckoned the support was insubstantial.

Will Greece Leave the Euro Zone? |Louise Armitstead |June 13, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Insubstantial novelty has more to do with decadence than any form of innovation.

What Was Venus Thinking? |Stanley Crouch |May 29, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
Truly, though shadows are insubstantial things for the greater part, there is one exception.

The Real Man |Francis Lynde

They would fade like an insubstantial pageant—or the baseless fabric of a dream.

The Philosophy of Natural Theology |William Jackson
From it rose the towers and high-peaked roofs of the city, insubstantial as a dream.

The Path of the King |John Buchan
Odd to reflect on—they were the insubstantial but coveted wealth of the woman fallen upon poverty, ignoble poverty!

The Amazing Marriage, Complete |George Meredith
Considered in itself, the classic style is always tempted to accept slight, insubstantial commonplaces for its subject materials.

The Origins of Contemporary France, Volume 1 (of 6) |Hippolyte A. Taine

insubstantial

/ (ˌɪnsəbˈstænʃəl) /

not substantial; flimsy, tenuous, or slight

imaginary; unreal

insubstantiality, noun insubstantially, adverb