flimsily
/ˈflɪmzɪli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈflɪmzɪli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈflimzə̇lē -li/ (ame, mw)
flimsily — adverb
1. in a way that shows something was built or put together without enough strength,
in a way that shows something was built or put together without enough strength, so that it breaks, tears, falls apart, or gives very little protection.
The garden shed was flimsily built, and it collapsed during the first winter storm.
collocation: flimsily built / constructed / made
Sakura noticed the cheap umbrella was flimsily made when the wind turned it inside out.
The old cardboard box was flimsily taped together, so the books fell through the bottom.
Priya criticised the flimsily assembled bookshelf, which wobbled every time she touched it.
The wooden fence was flimsily nailed to the posts and fell over in the first strong wind.
文法句型
flimsily + [past participle: built/made/constructed/assembled]
用法筆記
Commonly used with past participles of verbs related to building, making, or joining (built, constructed, made, assembled, taped, nailed).
常見錯誤
❖ 'The house was flimsily designed, but it looked beautiful.' ✅ 'The house was flimsily built, and the roof leaked during the first rain.' — 'flimsily' describes poor construction strength, not just a lack of visual appeal.
2. in a way that is not strong or serious enough to be believed or accepted, especi
in a way that is not strong or serious enough to be believed or accepted, especially when talking about an excuse, reason, argument, or explanation.
The suspect flimsily explained his whereabouts, offering a story that no one believed.
flimsily + verb of explaining (explained / argued / defended)
Rashida flimsily argued that she had not seen the email, though the timestamp proved otherwise.
Hiroshi flimsily defended his project with vague statements that did not impress the judges.
The company flimsily justified the price increase, citing costs that experts said were exaggerated.
Aisha flimsily claimed that the dog ate her homework, an excuse the teacher had heard before.
- weakly
more general; can describe lack of force in arguments or physical strength
- lamely
more informal; suggests a pathetic or feeble attempt
- unconvincingly
more formal; directly describes failure to persuade
- convincingly
suggests the explanation was strong enough to be believed
- persuasively
emphasises the power to change someone's opinion
文法句型
flimsily + [verb: argued/explained/defended/justified]
用法筆記
Typically modifies verbs of explaining, arguing, or justifying (explained, argued, defended, justified, claimed). Often expresses mild criticism of the speaker's effort.
常見錯誤
❖ 'She flimsily answered the question correctly.' ✅ 'She flimsily answered the question, giving a reason that no one accepted.' — 'flimsily' describes a weak or unconvincing answer, not a wrong one.