flimsy

flimsy — adjective

1. made of thin or weak material, so that it breaks, tears, or bends too easily — f

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

made of thin or weak material, so that it breaks, tears, or bends too easily — for example, a flimsy folding chair that gives way under a person's weight, or a flimsy cardboard box that rips when lifted.

Example

The folding chair was so flimsy that it broke when Andrew sat on it.

pattern: so + flimsy + that clause (result structure)

Élise wrapped the vase in newspaper because the cardboard box was too flimsy.

collocation: flimsy + cardboard box / container

Common collocations
  • flimsy chair
  • flimsy table
  • flimsy box
  • flimsy bag
  • flimsy fence
  • flimsy structure
  • flimsy plastic
  • flimsy cardboard
Synonyms
  • fragile

    suggests something easily broken but possibly valuable or delicate; 'flimsy' adds the sense of cheap or poor-quality materials

  • weak

    a more general word; 'flimsy' specifically implies thin or poorly made, not just lacking strength

  • rickety

    describes furniture or structures that are unsteady because of loose joints or age; 'flimsy' focuses on the materials being too thin

Antonyms
  • sturdy

    strongly built and able to support weight without bending

  • solid

    made of strong, thick material that does not break or bend easily

Grammar Patterns

flimsy + noun

be + flimsy

Usage Note

Frequently describes objects made of cheap or poor-quality materials. Unlike fragile, which can suggest something delicate and worth handling with care, flimsy implies the object is weak because of inexpensive or careless construction.

Common Mistakes

Be careful with that glass — it's flimsy.
Be careful with that glass
it's fragile.' — For easily broken but valuable or delicate items, use 'fragile'. 'Flimsy' suggests cheap or weak construction, not fine delicacy.
The cake was too flimsy to hold its shape.
The cake was too soft to hold its shape.
'Flimsy' describes objects that break or tear, not food that is soft.

2. not strong or convincing enough to be believed or accepted — used about reasons,

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

not strong or convincing enough to be believed or accepted — used about reasons, excuses, arguments, or plans that lack solid support or clear logic.

Example

Linh gave a flimsy excuse about missing the bus, but nobody believed her.

collocation: flimsy excuse

The lawyer argued that the evidence against her client was too flimsy to prove anything.

pattern: too flimsy to + infinitive

Common collocations
  • flimsy excuse
  • flimsy argument
  • flimsy evidence
  • flimsy explanation
  • flimsy reason
  • flimsy claim
  • flimsy basis
  • flimsy plan
Synonyms
  • weak

    a more general term; 'flimsy' adds a vivid sense of something so thin it can barely hold together

  • unconvincing

    more formal; suggests an argument fails to persuade on rational grounds

  • lame

    informal; similar to 'flimsy' for excuses, but less common for arguments or evidence

Antonyms
  • convincing

    so strong and logical that it makes you believe something

  • solid

    used figuratively to mean well-supported and reliable

Grammar Patterns

flimsy + noun (excuse / argument / evidence)

be + flimsy

Usage Note

Commonly modifies nouns such as excuse, argument, evidence, explanation, reason, claim, and plan. Less formal than unconvincing or insubstantial; more vivid than weak for spoken English.

Common Mistakes

Her flimsy smile showed she was nervous.
Her weak smile showed she was nervous.
'Flimsy' does not describe facial expressions; use 'weak' or 'faint' instead.
The detective found the criminal's story flimsy.
The detective found the criminal's story unconvincing.
In formal or written English, 'unconvincing' or 'implausible' is more appropriate than 'flimsy'.

flimsy — noun

Word family

  • flimsily
    adverbB2
  • flimsiness
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Flimsy, fragile, delicate, weak, and rickety all describe things that lack strength, but they highlight different aspects. Flimsy focuses on poor-quality materials or thin construction — a flimsy chair is not just breakable but visibly cheap or insubstantial. Fragile suggests something easily broken that may be valuable or require careful handling, such as a fragile antique vase. Delicate implies fineness and intricacy rather than weakness — delicate lace is prized for its fineness, not faulted for being flimsy. Weak is the most general term and can apply to physical objects, arguments, or people. Rickety specifically describes furniture or structures that wobble because of loose joints or age. For example: 'The flimsy plastic table collapsed under the cake (poor construction),' but 'The fragile porcelain doll fell and shattered (breakable, valuable),' and 'The rickety wooden chair rocked whenever someone leaned back (loose joints).'

fragile ↗delicate ↗weak ↗rickety

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • flimsily

Etymology

English

The origin of 'flimsy' is uncertain, but it first appeared in English in the early 1700s. It may have developed from 'filmsy', a blend of 'film' (a thin layer or skin) and a suffix suggesting weakness or slightness. The figurative meaning ('weak argument') appeared in the early 1800s, extending the physical sense of 'thin and easily torn' to abstract ideas that lack substance.