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View synonyms for superficial

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


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Derived Forms

  • ˌsuperˈficially, adverb
  • superficiality, noun

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Other Words From

  • su·per·fi·ci·al·i·ty [soo-per-fish-ee-, al, -i-tee], 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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of superficial1

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English superfyciall, from Late Latin superficiālis, equivalent to Latin superfici(ēs) superficies + -ālis -al 1

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Word History and Origins

Origin of superficial1

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

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Example Sentences

Her Miss America win transcended mere superficial beauty standards.

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.

"It has a superficial, glittering prettiness, without—" I hesitated to find the word I wanted.

This design reveals a stumbling-block that superficial people fall over.

So strong were prejudices in favour of superficial morality in even that licentious age!

A little or superficial knowledge may incline a man's mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth him back to religion.

In touching truly deep and serious things Mistral is often superficial, and passes them off with a commonplace.

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superfetationsuperficiality