different between silky vs flimsy

English

Etymology

From Middle English sylky, equivalent to silk +? -y.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?s?lki/
• Rhymes: -?lki

Adjective

silky (comparative silkier, superlative silkiest)

1. Similar in appearance or texture (especially in softness and smoothness) to silk.

   cloth with a silky lustre

   silky hair

2. Smooth and pleasant; seductive.

   a silky wine

   a silky voice

   silky skills

3. (botany) Covered in long, slender, glistening hairs pressed close to the surface; sericeous.

Derived terms

• silky oak
• silky soft

Translations

Noun

silky (plural silkies)

1. Alternative spelling of silkie

References

• silky in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• “silky” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.
• Random House Webster's Unabridged Electronic Dictionary (1987-1996)

Anagrams

• Kisly

English

Etymology

Origin uncertain. First used in the 18th century. Perhaps a metathesis of film +? -s +? -y; or related to flimflam.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?fl?mzi/

Adjective

flimsy (comparative flimsier or more flimsy, superlative flimsiest or most flimsy)

1. Likely to bend or break under pressure.

   Synonyms: weak, shaky, flexible, fragile

   Antonyms: robust, strong, sturdy

   • 1715, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The Rivals

     All the flimsy furniture of a country miss's brain.

2. (figuratively) Weak; ill-founded.

   Synonyms: weak, feeble, unconvincing

   Antonyms: well-founded, substantiated

Translations

Noun

flimsy (plural flimsies)

1. Thin typing paper used to make multiple copies.
   • 1977, John Le Carré, The Honourable Schoolboy, Folio Society 2010, p. 251:

     Smiley peered once more at the flimsy which he still clutched in his pudgy hand.

2. (naval slang) A service certificate
   • 1964, Australia. Parliament, Records of the Proceedings and Printed Papers of the Parliament

     A perusal of the comments of officers under whom he has served as recorded in his “flimsies" indicates that he has almost consistently received high commendation for his service.

   • 1994, John Wells, The Royal Navy: An Illustrated Social History, 1870-1982 (page 7)

     Regulations required a commanding officer to render annual confidential reports on the character and ability of his officers - with particular reference to sobriety - on forms known as 'flimsies'.

3. (informal, in the plural) Skimpy underwear.
4. (slang) A banknote.

Translations