Meaning & Definition of word "Tenuous"
Tenuous
/ˈtɛnjʊəs/
adjective:
- 1. Very weak or slight; insubstantial.
- Example: The evidence presented in the trial was tenuous at best, lacking any real substance.
- 2. Having little substance or significance.
- Example: Her arguments for the proposal were tenuous, relying more on emotion than on facts.
- 3. Spindly or slender; thin.
- Example: The tenuous threads of the spider's web glistened in the morning dew.
Etymology
●From Latin tenuis meaning 'thin' or 'slender'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
tenuous link:
A weak or uncertain connection between two ideas or situations.
tenuous grasp:
A weak understanding or control over something.
Related Words
tenuity:
The quality of being thin or slender.
attenuate:
To reduce in force, effect, or value.
Slang Meanings of tenuous
Meaning: A weak argument or position.
● Example Sentence: His stance on the issue was so tenuous, it fell apart under scrutiny.
Meaning: Something that is not very credible.
● Example Sentence: Her alibi was tenuous, lacking any real proof.