superficial

[ soo-per-fish-uh l ]

/ ˌsu pərˈfɪʃ əl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR superficial ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

being at, on, or near the surface: a superficial wound.

of or relating to the surface: superficial measurement.

external or outward: a superficial resemblance.

concerned with or comprehending only what is on the surface or obvious: a superficial observer.

shallow; not profound or thorough: a superficial writer.

apparent rather than real.

insubstantial or insignificant: superficial improvements.

Nearby words

superfamily, superfecta, superfecundation, superfemale, superfetation, superficial, superficial dorsal veins of clitoris, superficial dorsal veins of penis, superficial epigastric vein, superficial fascia, superficial fascia of perineum

Origin of superficial

1375–1425; late Middle English superfyciall < Late Latin superficiālis, equivalent to Latin superfici(ēs) superficies + -ālis -al¹

Related forms

su·per·fi·ci·al·i·ty

[soo-per-fish-ee-al-i-tee] /ˌsu pərˌfɪʃ iˈæl ɪ ti/, su·per·fi·cial·ness, nounsu·per·fi·cial·ly, adverbqua·si-su·per·fi·cial, adjectivequa·si-su·per·fi·cial·ly, adverb

sub·su·per·fi·cial, adjectivesub·su·per·fi·cial·ly, adverbsub·su·per·fi·cial·ness, nounun·su·per·fi·cial, adjectiveun·su·per·fi·cial·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for superficial

But it will take more than superficial solidarity to dismantle those structures and the ideologies that birthed them.
Jamie Foxx: Get Over the Black ‘Annie’|Stereo Williams|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is loathed by some critics who find it patronizing, silly, and superficial.
'The Newsroom' Ended As It Began: Weird, Controversial, and Noble|Kevin Fallon|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The implication is that she might even have assisted her husband inflicting his superficial wounds.
Did Joran Van Der Sloot Fake His Prison Shanking?|Andrea Zarate, Barbie Latza Nadeau|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Every Bentley is made to order, which essentially means anything “superficial” is possible.
Behind the Wheel of the Bespoke Bentley|Zoe Settle|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

George was neither shallow nor superficial; his personality was deep and multidimensional.
When Gary Wright Met George Harrison: Dream Weaver, John and Yoko, and More|Gary Wright|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The word applies wholly to what is superficial; we can say "fair, yet false."
English Synonyms and Antonyms|James Champlin Fernald
The spirit which directs them is needed more than anything else in our time of reaching out for superficial goods.
Psychotherapy|Hugo Mnsterberg
He learns the language of the people, and soon succeeds in giving them a superficial knowledge of the great truths of the Gospel.
Thoughts on Missions|Sheldon Dibble
Their view of the world and its wonders is narrow and superficial.
A Book of Prefaces|H. L. Mencken
She looked at things with a lighter logic and a kind of genius for the acceptance of superficial values.
The Research Magnificent|H. G. Wells

British Dictionary definitions for superficial

superficial

/ (ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃəl) /

adjective

of, relating to, being near, or forming the surfacesuperficial bruising

displaying a lack of thoroughness or carea superficial inspection

only outwardly apparent rather than genuine or actualthe similarity was merely superficial

of little substance or significance; trivialsuperficial differences

lacking originality or profunditythe film's plot was quite superficial

(of measurements) involving only the surface area

Derived Forms

superficiality (ˌsuːpəˌfɪʃɪˈælɪtɪ) or rare superficialness, nounsuperficially, adverb

Word Origin for superficial

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

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

Medicine definitions for superficial

superficial

[ sōō′pər-fĭsh′əl ]

adj.

Of, affecting, or being on or near the surface.

Not thorough.