- 1(often disapproving) not studying or looking at something thoroughly; seeing only what is obvious a superficial analysis The book shows only a superficial understanding of the historical context. Oxford Collocations Dictionary verbsbe, seem, remain, … adverbextremely, fairly, very, … See full entry
- 2appearing to be true, real or important until you look at it more carefully superficial differences/similarities When you first meet her, she gives a superficial impression of warmth and friendliness. The movie bears a fairly superficial resemblance to the original novel. Oxford Collocations Dictionary verbsbe, seem, remain, … adverbextremely, fairly, very, … See full entry See related entries: Dishonest
- 3(of a wound or damage) only affecting the surface and therefore not serious a superficial injury superficial burns
- 4(disapproving) not concerned with anything serious or important and lacking any depth of understanding or feeling synonym shallow a superficial friendship The guests engaged in superficial chatter. She's so superficial! Oxford Collocations Dictionary verbsbe, seem, remain, … adverbextremely, fairly, very, … See full entry
- 5(specialist) of or on the surface of something superficial veins a superficial deposit of acidic soils Word Originlate Middle English: from late Latin superficialis, from Latin superficies, from super- ‘above’ + facies ‘face’.
superficial
adjectiveBrE BrE//ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃl//, BrE//ˌsjuːpəˈfɪʃl//; NAmE NAmE//ˌsuːpərˈfɪʃl//
DishonestCheck pronunciation: superficial
