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

Ecofascism may sound appealing, at least on a superficial level, for people who are sincerely interested in protecting the planet.

From Salon

The suspect was taken to a local hospital before being booked and treated for a “superficial wound,” Klumpp said.

From Los Angeles Times

"They have a fundamentally superficial understanding of what they're doing," argued Bobby Kogan, the senior director of federal budget policy at the Center for American Progress.

From Salon

However, this message about superficial prejudice has not fully penetrated to people online who continue to pick apart Grande's appearance.

From Salon

On a superficial level, you could also call it an evening of contemporary music.

From New York Times

Related Words

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

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?

• cursory
• frivolous
• silly
• slight
• trivial

What are some words that share a root or word element with superficial? 

• superficies

What are some words that often get used in discussing superficial?

• measurement
• opinion
• surface
• take
• wound

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