superficial

[ soo-per-fish-uhl ]

adjective

1. being at, on, or near the surface:

   a superficial wound.

2. of or relating to the surface:

   superficial measurement.

3. external or outward:

   a superficial resemblance.

4. concerned with or comprehending only what is on the surface or obvious:

   a superficial observer.

5. shallow; not profound or thorough:

   a superficial writer.

6. apparent rather than real.
7. insubstantial or insignificant:

   superficial improvements.

superficial

/ ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃəl; ˌsuːpəˌfɪʃɪˈælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, being near, or forming the surface

   superficial bruising

2. displaying a lack of thoroughness or care

   a superficial inspection

3. only outwardly apparent rather than genuine or actual

   the similarity was merely superficial

4. of little substance or significance; trivial

   superficial differences

5. lacking originality or profundity

   the film's plot was quite superficial

6. (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

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English superfyciall, from Late Latin superficiālis, equivalent to Latin superfici(ēs) superficies + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of superficial¹

C14: from Late Latin superficiālis of the surface, from Latin superficies

Example Sentences

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".

From BBC

“The data collected should focus on who users are and what they want, rather than superficial attributes.”

From Slate

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.

From Salon

In theaters Friday, “La Cocina” captures the superficial camaraderie forged in high-pressure jobs where people rely on each other to make it through the day, as well as the dynamics of power in an economic system that thrives on exploiting the most vulnerable — the unseen.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of Stewart’s complaints were more superficial, like how she disliked the camera angles Cutler chose for shooting her, or that she wanted the film to feature music that was more representative of her personal tastes — less “lousy classical score” and more Dr. Dre, Snoop or Fredwreck.

From Salon

Related Words

• cursory
• frivolous
• one-dimensional
• perfunctory
• silly
• sketchy
• slight
• trivial