skin-deep

[ skin-deep ]

adjective

1. superficial or slight; not profound or substantial:

   Their sincerity is only skin-deep.

adverb

1. slightly; superficially:

   He went into the subject only skin-deep.

skin-deep

adjective

1. superficial; shallow

adverb

1. superficially

Word History and Origins

Origin of skin-deep¹

First recorded in 1605–15

Idioms and Phrases

see beauty is only skin deep .

Example Sentences

It could be written off as largely cosmetic, but increasingly appears more than skin-deep.

From The Daily Beast

"With residences as with—er—ladies, beauty is only skin deep," said he.

From Project Gutenberg

The pride was only skin deep; the pluck was part of the heroic element in Annie.

From Project Gutenberg

But if his words and writings are examined, it will be seen that this mobility was only skin-deep.

From Project Gutenberg

Paul had been touched—a mere graze, skin deep, but still touched—by Helen Darcy's beauty and fascinations.

From Project Gutenberg

It is only later in life that ces demoiselles begin to find that their neighbour's beauty is but skin-deep.

From Project Gutenberg