unsubstantial
[ uhn-suh b-stan-shuh l ]
/ ˌʌn səbˈstæn ʃəl /
adjective
not substantial; having no foundation in fact; fanciful; insubstantial: an unsubstantial argument; unsubstantial hopes.
without material substance: an unsubstantial ghost.
lacking material substance; materially paltry: an unsubstantial dinner of bread and cheese.
lacking strength or solidity; flimsy: an unsubstantial wall of cardboard.
Origin of unsubstantial
late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at
un-1,
substantial
OTHER WORDS FROM unsubstantial
un·sub·stan·ti·al·i·ty, noun un·sub·stan·tial·ly, adverbWords nearby unsubstantial
unstrung,
unstuck,
unstudied,
unsub,
unsubscribe,
unsubstantial,
unsubstantiated,
unsubtle,
unsuccess,
unsuccessful,
unsuitable
Example sentences from the Web for unsubstantial
British Dictionary definitions for unsubstantial
unsubstantial
/ (ˌʌnsəbˈstænʃəl) /
adjective
lacking weight, strength, or firmness
(esp of an argument) of doubtful validity
of no material existence or substance; unreal