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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 51Թ 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
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of superficial1
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of superficial1
Example Sentences
When Sagne, who was an entomologist before retiring to the woods, compares the group to an ant colony, everyone appears to accept at face value the superficial aptitude of her analogy.
Those similarities are superficial because Trump is superficial.
The hapless loves do awaken some 2 1/2 hours into a 3 1/2-hour performance, becoming more serious, if not that much less superficial.
"The superficial injuries to both of these people is laughable."
“That part of my life was so superficial, so Los Angeles in many ways,” she said.
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Related 51Թs
More About Superficial
What 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 … ?
What are some other forms related to superficial?
- superficiality (noun)
- superficialness (noun)
- superficially (adverb)
- quasi-superficial (adjective)
What are some synonyms for superficial?
What are some words that share a root or word element with superficial?
What 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.
What 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
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