Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

insubstantial

/ˌɪnsəbstˈænʃəl/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 2.36 in modern English

Syllables: in-sub-stan-tial
IPA: /ˌɪnsəbstˈænʃəl/

15

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

4

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Lacking substance; not real or strong.

Example Sentences

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

Etymology

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

Origin

Source language: Middle French

Word Breakdown

Root: insubstantiel, insubstantiālis

Inflected Forms

more insubstantial (comparative) most insubstantial (superlative)

Derived Forms

insubstantiality

Synonyms

unsubstantial airy aery ethereal diaphanous immaterial insubstantial tenuous unreal

Antonyms

substantial

Rhymes With

financial substantial circumstantial nonfinancial

Questions

How do you pronounce insubstantial?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌɪnsəbstˈænʃəl/.
What does insubstantial mean?: Lacking substance; not real or strong.
Where does insubstantial come from?: It is traced to Middle French.

How to pronounce insubstantial

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “insubstantial”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌɪnsəbstˈænʃəl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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