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superficial
[ soo-per-fish-uhl ]
adjective
- being at, on, or near the surface:
a superficial wound.
- of or relating to the surface:
superficial measurement.
- external or outward:
a superficial resemblance.
- concerned with or comprehending only what is on the surface or obvious:
a superficial observer.
- shallow; not profound or thorough:
a superficial writer.
- apparent rather than real.
- insubstantial or insignificant:
superficial improvements.
superficial
/ ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃəl; ˌsuːpəˌfɪʃɪˈælɪtɪ /
adjective
- of, relating to, being near, or forming the surface
superficial bruising
- displaying a lack of thoroughness or care
a superficial inspection
- only outwardly apparent rather than genuine or actual
the similarity was merely superficial
- of little substance or significance; trivial
superficial differences
- lacking originality or profundity
the film's plot was quite superficial
- (of measurements) involving only the surface area
Derived Forms
- ˌsuperˈficially, adverb
- superficiality, noun
Other Words From
- su·per·fi·ci·al·i·ty [soo-per-fish-ee-, al, -i-tee], su·per·fi·cial·ness noun
- su·per·fi·cial·ly adverb
- qua·si-su·per·fi·cial adjective
- qua·si-su·per·fi·cial·ly adverb
- sub·su·per·fi·cial adjective
- sub·su·per·fi·cial·ly adverb
- sub·su·per·fi·cial·ness noun
- un·su·per·fi·cial adjective
- un·su·per·fi·cial·ly adverb
Word History and Origins
Origin of superficial1
Word History and Origins
Origin of superficial1
Example Sentences
On a superficial level, you could also call it an evening of contemporary music.
On Saturday, Israel rejected warnings of famine in northern Gaza from global food security experts, saying the group relied on "partial, biased data and superficial sources with vested interests".
It’s no different than Trump calling his former ally Chris Christie “fat”: It’s an easy, superficial attack that many critics would say applies to him too.
The group says programmes in the centre are superficial and focused on "shame" - failing to tackle the root causes of drug dependence.
On a more superficial level but still revealing, when I was young in the 1970s, I only knew a handful of men who had ever worn an earring.
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More About Superficial
What does superficial mean?
Superficial describes something as being of or related to the surface, as a scratch on your arm would be a superficial wound.
Superficial can describe something that is literally close to a surface, such as a small cut, or figuratively close to the surface. When you and your sibling have the same nose shape and same eye color but don’t otherwise look like each other, you superficially look like each other. The sameness doesn’t go very far.
Example: This article is very superficial, barely sharing any details about the event.
Where does superficial come from?
The first records of the term superficial come from around 1375. It ultimately comes from the Latin superfici(ēs), meaning “the outer face,” and –ālis, meaning “of the kind of.”
One of the most common uses of superficial is to describe a wound as close to the surface of the skin. Usually superficial wounds are not threatening, which may have led to other senses, such as meaning “unimportant or trivial.” If you describe someone as superficial, you are implying that they are not thoughtful or profound and are concerned only with what’s on the surface of things.
Did you know … ?
What are some other forms related to superficial?
- superficiality (noun)
- superficialness (noun)
- superficially (adverb)
- quasi-superficial (adjective)
What are some synonyms for superficial?
What are some words that share a root or word element with superficial?
What are some words that often get used in discussing superficial?
How is superficial used in real life?
In medical usage, superficial has a specific meaning, but in everyday usage it’s used more generally.
What I'm chasing is Rings and the HOF. The superficial stuff anybody else can have that. I just wanna be a Legend.
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) April 24, 2016
i don't like addressing rumors but the fact that people think i would do something as superficial as a publicity stunt makes me upset
— camila (@Camila_Cabello) May 1, 2014
this superficial love thing got me going crazy
— FASHIONOLOGY 🐉 (@sulivangwed) March 5, 2016
Try using superficial!
Which of the following is NOT a synonym for superficial?
A. shallow
B. frivolous
C. deep
D. casual
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