superficial [soo-per-fish -uh l]
Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for superficial on Thesaurus.com 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. Show More
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 , 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 Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for superficial slight ,
cursory ,
one-dimensional ,
perfunctory ,
sketchy ,
silly ,
trivial ,
frivolous ,
apparent ,
casual ,
cosmetic ,
desultory ,
empty ,
evident ,
exterior ,
external ,
flash ,
flimsy ,
general ,
glib Examples from the Web for superficial Contemporary Examples of superficial But it will take more than superficial solidarity to dismantle those structures and the ideologies that birthed them.
It is loathed by some critics who find it patronizing, silly, and superficial .
The implication is that she might even have assisted her husband inflicting his superficial wounds.
Every Bentley is made to order, which essentially means anything “superficial ” is possible.
George was neither shallow nor superficial ; his personality was deep and multidimensional.
Historical Examples of superficial It consisted of a superficial ablution and the loan of a handkerchief.
And I thought how strangely callous we were, how superficial our sympathy.
But presently it became evident that her interest was more than superficial .
Of the courts of law he gives what he calls a superficial sketch.
And how was I to make even the most superficial search in three days?
British Dictionary definitions for superficial of, relating to, being near, or forming the surface superficial bruising displaying a lack of thoroughness or care a superficial inspection only outwardly apparent rather than genuine or actual the similarity was merely superficial of little substance or significance; trivial superficial differences lacking originality or profundity the film's plot was quite superficial (of measurements) involving only the surface area Show More
Derived Forms superficiality (ˌsuːpəˌfɪʃɪˈælɪtɪ ) or rare superficialness , noun superficially , adverb Word Origin for superficial C14: from Late Latin superficiālis of the surface, from Latin superficies
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for superficial adj. late 14c., in anatomical and mathematical uses, "of or relating to a surface," from Latin superficialis "of or pertaining to the surface," from superficies "surface," from super "above, over" (see super- ) + facies "form, face" (see face (n.)). Meaning "not deep, without thorough understanding, cursory" (of perceptions, thoughts, etc.) first recorded early 15c. (implied in superficially "not thoroughly").
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
superficial [sōō′pər-fĭsh′ əl]
Of, affecting, or being on or near the surface. Not thorough. Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
