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View synonyms for

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • superficiality noun
  • superficialness noun
  • superficially adverb
  • quasi-superficial adjective
  • quasi-superficially adverb
  • subsuperficial adjective
  • subsuperficially adverb
  • subsuperficialness noun
  • unsuperficial adjective
  • unsuperficially adverb
  • ˌܱˈھ adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of superficial1

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English superfyciall, from Late Latin ܱھ, equivalent to Latin ܱھ(ŧ) superficies + - -al 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of superficial1

C14: from Late Latin ܱھ of the surface, from Latin superficies
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"We were talking about our hobbies and passions," Ashley says, "not superficial things."

From

But these are superficial distractions in a production that hasn’t figured out why it’s revisiting Shakespeare’s play.

From

She does so again, the blandness this time all the more superficial and ensuing depth equally greater, the prettiness richer and mattering more.

From

When tattoo artist Michael Phan, 25, moved from Munich, Germany, to work for Thao two years ago, his only thought about Chicano culture was the superficial notion that it is associated with gangs.

From

It ultimately ruled it was "superficial" to compare Prince Harry's circumstances with other VIPs.

From

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When To Use

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.

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