Advertisement
Advertisement
superficial
[ soo-per-fish-uhl ]
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.
superficial
/ ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃəl; ˌsuːpəˌfɪʃɪˈælɪtɪ /
adjective
- 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
Derived Forms
- ˌܱˈھ, adverb
- superficiality, noun
Other Word Forms
- ··ھ····ٲ [soo-per-fish-ee-, al, -i-tee], ··ھ··Ա noun
- ··ھ·· adverb
- ܲ·-··ھ· adjective
- qua·si-··ھ·· adverb
- ܲ···ھ· adjective
- sub···ھ·· adverb
- sub···ھ··Ա noun
- ܲ···ھ· adjective
- un···ھ·· adverb
Word History and Origins
Origin of superficial1
Word History and Origins
Origin of superficial1
Example Sentences
At the time, Trump's former White House doctor, Ronny Jackson, released a report saying his injuries from the incident were superficial.
But as I’ve suggested, beneath the superficial details these cases are quite different, or at least I believe one of them is.
In contrast, DOGE’s disruption is characterized by lack of understanding, closed-door decision-making, superficial agility and eroded government capabilities.
In superficial terms alone, that implies that someone might have been front-running the announcement.
Beyond superficial appearances, though, their stories are very different.
Advertisement
More About Superficial
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.
Where does superficial come from?
The first records of the term superficial come from around 1375. It ultimately comes from the Latin ܱھ(ŧ), meaning “the outer face,” and –, meaning “of the kind of.”
One of the most common uses of superficial is to describe a wound as close to the surface of the skin. Usually superficial wounds are not threatening, which may have led to other senses, such as meaning “unimportant or trivial.” If you describe someone as superficial, you are implying that they are not thoughtful or profound and are concerned only with what’s on the surface of things.
Did you know … ?
are some other forms related to superficial?
- superficiality (noun)
- superficialness (noun)
- superficially (adverb)
- quasi-superficial (adjective)
are some synonyms for superficial?
are some words that share a root or word element with superficial?
are some words that often get used in discussing superficial?
How is superficial used in real life?
In medical usage, superficial has a specific meaning, but in everyday usage it’s used more generally.
I'm chasing is Rings and the HOF. The superficial stuff anybody else can have that. I just wanna be a Legend.
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj)
i don't like addressing rumors but the fact that people think i would do something as superficial as a publicity stunt makes me upset
— camila (@Camila_Cabello)
this superficial love thing got me going crazy
— FASHIONOLOGY 🐉 (@sulivangwed)
Try using superficial!
Which of the following is NOT a synonym for superficial?
A. shallow
B. frivolous
C. deep
D. casual
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse