0%

unsubstantial

un·sub·stan·tial
U u

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [uhn-suh b-stan-shuh l]
    • /ˌʌn səbˈstæn ʃəl/
    • /ˌʌn.səb.ˈstæn.ʃəl/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [uhn-suh b-stan-shuh l]
    • /ˌʌn səbˈstæn ʃəl/

Definitions of unsubstantial word

  • adjective unsubstantial not substantial; having no foundation in fact; fanciful; insubstantial: an unsubstantial argument; unsubstantial hopes. 1
  • adjective unsubstantial without material substance: an unsubstantial ghost. 1
  • adjective unsubstantial lacking material substance; materially paltry: an unsubstantial dinner of bread and cheese. 1
  • adjective unsubstantial lacking strength or solidity; flimsy: an unsubstantial wall of cardboard. 1
  • adjective unsubstantial lacking weight, strength, or firmness 0
  • adjective unsubstantial (esp of an argument) of doubtful validity 0

Information block about the term

Origin of unsubstantial

First appearance:

before 1425
One of the 25% oldest English words
late Middle English word dating back to 1425-75; See origin at un-1, substantial

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Unsubstantial

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

unsubstantial popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 55% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data about 56% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

unsubstantial usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for unsubstantial

adj unsubstantial

  • adumbral — shadowy
  • anile — of or like a feeble old woman
  • apparitional — of or relating to an apparition or apparitions; ghostly, spectral
  • asomatous — having no material body; incorporeal.
  • bodiless — having no body or substance; incorporeal or insubstantial

adv unsubstantial

  • agilely — quick and well-coordinated in movement; lithe: an agile leap.
  • airily — in a jaunty or high-spirited manner
  • breezily — abounding in breezes; windy.
  • daintily — of delicate beauty; exquisite: a dainty lace handkerchief.
  • faintly — lacking brightness, vividness, clearness, loudness, strength, etc.: a faint light; a faint color; a faint sound.

noun unsubstantial

  • flu — influenza.
  • flus — influenza.
  • insubstantiality — not substantial or real; lacking substance: an insubstantial world of dreams.
  • ailing — An ailing organization or society is in difficulty and is becoming weaker.
  • diseasedness — The state of being diseased; sickness.

adjective unsubstantial

  • disbodied — (archaic) disembodied.
  • discorporate — Having no material body.
  • empty — A container (esp. a bottle or glass) left empty of its contents.
  • ethereal — Extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world.
  • filigree — delicate ornamental work of fine silver, gold, or other metal wires, especially lacy jewelers' work of scrolls and arabesques.

adverb unsubstantial

  • elusively — In an elusive manner.
  • ethereally — In an ethereal manner.
  • intangibly — not tangible; incapable of being perceived by the sense of touch, as incorporeal or immaterial things; impalpable.

Antonyms for unsubstantial

adj unsubstantial

  • ad rem — to the point; without digression
  • applicative — relevant or applicable
  • axial — relating to, forming, or characteristic of an axis
  • card-carrying — A card-carrying member of a particular group or political party is an official member of that group or party, rather than someone who supports it.
  • central — Something that is central is in the middle of a place or area.

adv unsubstantial

  • corporeally — of the nature of the physical body; bodily.
  • materially — to an important degree; considerably: Their endorsement didn't help materially.
  • mundanely — common; ordinary; banal; unimaginative.

adjective unsubstantial

  • centroidal — of or relating to a centroid
  • earthshattering — earthshaking.
  • epochal — Forming or characterizing an epoch; epoch-making.
  • material — the substance or substances of which a thing is made or composed: Stone is a durable material.
  • nonspiritual — Not spiritual.

adverb unsubstantial

  • difficultly — not easily or readily done; requiring much labor, skill, or planning to be performed successfully; hard: a difficult job.
  • effortfully — In an effortful manner: with effort.
  • noticeably — attracting notice or attention; capable of being noticed: a noticeable lack of interest.

Top questions with unsubstantial

  • what does unsubstantial mean?

See also

Matching words

Was this page helpful?
Yes No
Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page
Tell us why?