flimsy
English
Etymology
Origin uncertain. First used in the 18th century. Perhaps a metathesis of film + -s + -y; or related to flimflam.
Pronunciation
Adjective
flimsy (comparative flimsier or more flimsy, superlative flimsiest or most flimsy)
- Likely to bend or break under pressure.
- Synonyms: weak, shaky, flexible, fragile
- Antonyms: robust, strong, sturdy
- He expected the flimsy structure to collapse at any moment.
- 1715, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The Rivals
- All the flimsy furniture of a country miss's brain.
- (figurative) Weak; ill-founded.
- Synonyms: weak, feeble, unconvincing
- Antonyms: well-founded, substantiated
- a flimsy excuse
Translations
likely to bend or break under pressure
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weak; ill-founded
Noun
flimsy (plural flimsies)
- Thin typing paper used to make multiple copies.
- 1977, John Le Carré, The Honourable Schoolboy, Folio Society 2010, p. 251:
- Smiley peered once more at the flimsy which he still clutched in his pudgy hand.
- 1977, John Le Carré, The Honourable Schoolboy, Folio Society 2010, p. 251:
- (naval slang) A service certificate
- 1964, Australia. Parliament, Records of the Proceedings and Printed Papers of the Parliament
- A perusal of the comments of officers under whom he has served as recorded in his “flimsies" indicates that he has almost consistently received high commendation for his service.
- 1994, John Wells, The Royal Navy: An Illustrated Social History, 1870-1982 (page 7)
- Regulations required a commanding officer to render annual confidential reports on the character and ability of his officers - with particular reference to sobriety - on forms known as 'flimsies'.
- 1964, Australia. Parliament, Records of the Proceedings and Printed Papers of the Parliament
- (informal, in the plural) Skimpy underwear.
- 2007 October 25, Ruth La Ferla, “Now It’s Nobody’s Secret”, in New York Times[1]:
- Choosing lingerie “is about what makes you look good, but also what looks good with or through your clothing,” said Monica Mitro, a spokeswoman for Victoria’s Secret, the brand that catapulted racy flimsies into the public eye.
- (slang) A banknote.
Translations
Thin typing paper used to make multiple copies
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