flimsily
/ˈflɪmzɪli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈflɪmzɪli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈflimzə̇lē -li/ (ame, mw)
flimsily — 副詞
1. in a way that shows something was built or put together without enough strength,
簡陋地
結構脆弱、容易損壞地
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.
那座花園小屋蓋得很簡陋，第一場冬季風暴就倒塌了。
collocation: flimsily built / constructed / made
Sakura noticed the cheap umbrella was flimsily made when the wind turned it inside out.
Sakura 注意到那把便宜雨傘做工粗糙，風一吹就外翻了。
The old cardboard box was flimsily taped together, so the books fell through the bottom.
那個舊紙箱只用膠帶隨便黏合，書本從底部掉了出來。
Priya criticised the flimsily assembled bookshelf, which wobbled every time she touched it.
Priya 批評那組書架組裝簡陋，每次一碰就搖搖晃晃。
The wooden fence was flimsily nailed to the posts and fell over in the first strong wind.
那座木柵欄隨便釘在柱子上，第一場大風就吹倒了。
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
薄弱地
理由不充分、難以置信地
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.
那名嫌犯對自己的行蹤交代得十分薄弱，說了一個沒人相信的故事。
flimsily + verb of explaining (explained / argued / defended)
Rashida flimsily argued that she had not seen the email, though the timestamp proved otherwise.
Rashida 薄弱地辯稱自己沒看到那封電子郵件，但時間戳記證明並非如此。
Hiroshi flimsily defended his project with vague statements that did not impress the judges.
Hiroshi 用模糊的說詞為自己的專案辯護，未能說服評審。
The company flimsily justified the price increase, citing costs that experts said were exaggerated.
該公司薄弱地為漲價辯解，聲稱成本上升，但專家認為說法誇大。
Aisha flimsily claimed that the dog ate her homework, an excuse the teacher had heard before.
Aisha 薄弱地聲稱作業被狗吃掉了，這個藉口老師以前就聽過了。
- 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.