insubstantial
UK/ɪnsəb'stænʃ(ə)l/US/.insәb'stænʃәl/
GREC2
Definitions
adj.
Lacking solidity, reality, or significance.
不实在的；脆弱的；微不足道的。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedin-not, opposite of
+
sub-under, below
+
-ialrelating to, having the nature of
=insubstantial
in- (not) + substantial. substance = sub- (under) + st (stand) = what 'stands under' to give a thing solidity. Insubstantial means having no such solid underpinning.
Root st still carries 376 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.insubstantial evidence无实质的证据
- 2.insubstantial claim站不住脚的主张
Example Sentences
- 1.
The evidence against him was flimsy and insubstantial.
- 2.
Ghosts are imagined as pale, insubstantial figures.