superficiality

[ soo-per-fish-ee-al-i-tee ]

noun

, plural su·per·fi·ci·al·i·ties.

1. the fact or quality of being at or near, or relating to, the surface:

   From the superficiality of the wound, and our promptness in treating it, I had no doubt it would heal quickly.

2. the fact or quality of being external or outward only:

   In her films evil often seems attractive, but the superficiality of this attraction is always revealed in the end.

3. the fact or quality of being concerned only with what is obvious, external, or on the surface:

   Superficiality and "looking good" take precedence in a culture that values appearances over genuine achievement.

4. shallow quality; lack of depth or thoroughness:

   Any book that attempts a survey of literature covering hundreds of years and multiple genres runs the risk of superficiality.

5. the fact or quality of being insubstantial or insignificant:

   The superficiality of the changes is likely the real reason critics have not compared the two versions of this play.

6. the fact or quality of being merely apparent rather than real:

   The scene reveals the superficiality of his concern for his wife—all he really cares about is the family’s reputation.

Word History and Origins

Origin of superficiality¹

superficial ( def ) + -ity ( def )

Example Sentences

Some comparisons are going to be made because at least at a superficial level, there are a few moments that do echo one another.

From Quartz

What seems like a superficial endeavor—crafting a digital character that matches your actual appearance—can offer a bit of levity when the weight of the world is upon you.

From Popular-Science

However, the biggest failure of “Cyberpunk” is never taking these ideas far enough, making them feel shallow in a superficial setting that asks interesting questions, but fails to answer them thoughtfully.

From Washington Post

The reason that I call that out is because it is a superficial attempt by these platforms to say that they are solving the problem while they are not actually doing anything meaningful to solve that problem.

From Freakonomics

It actually is the beginning of a deep democracy, not just a superficial one.

From Fortune

If the city the city we love to hate for its superficiality is on board, who knows?

From The Daily Beast

As the race pitting President Obama against Mitt Romney officially begins, campaign coverage gains superficiality and confusion.

From The Daily Beast

The history of larp as a hobby for the rich and famous illustrates the superficiality of its current geeky stigma.

From The Daily Beast

And, as has been in the news lately, modeling can also be about stress, superficiality, race and false values.

From The Daily Beast

The weakness in Romney is his superficiality, and the problem in our politics is... well, its superficiality.

From The Daily Beast

Now there is no injustice, no superficiality in this observation; its object is simply parallel to their incapacity for synthesis.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a success which its singularity has gained for it, and which its superficiality will soon again forfeit.

From Project Gutenberg

As a further concession to his superficiality as a thinker we may frankly admit his incapacity to originate new ideas.

From Project Gutenberg

Where I have used documents it was with a desire to escape the charge of superficiality.

From Project Gutenberg

His verdicts on the other Scotch poets are marked by the same superficiality, and we regret to add flippancy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• area
• expanse
• exterior
• facade
• façade
• face
• level
• side
• skin
• top