insubstantial

English

Etymology

Probably from Middle French insubstantiel, from Latin insubstantiālis, from in- + substantiālis. By surface analysis, in- +‎ substantial.

Adjective

insubstantial (comparative more insubstantial, superlative most insubstantial)

1. Lacking substance; not real or strong.

   The bridge was insubstantial and would not safely carry a car.

   • 2008, Christopher Paolini, “Rider and Ra'zac”, in Brisingr, pages 67-8:

     By manipulating the flow of magic, Eragon quickly descended from the Ra'zac's lair—which the insubstantial wall of stone once again hid—to the ledge.

Synonyms

• unsubstantial (archaic); See also Thesaurus:insubstantial

Antonyms

• substantial; See also Thesaurus:substantial

Derived terms

• insubstantiality

Translations

Translations

• Bulgarian: нематериален (bg) (nematerialen), нереален (bg) (nerealen)
• Catalan: insubstancial
• French: insubstantiel (fr)
• Galician: insubstancial
• Italian: immateriale (it), inconsistente (it)
• Japanese: 実のない (みのない, minonai)
• Māori: korekiko, kikokore
• Portuguese: insubstancial
• Romanian: nesubstanțial
• Spanish: hueco (es), insustancial (es), vacío (es)