- superficial
- su|per|fi|cial [ ,supər`fıʃl ] adjective *▸ 1 not complete▸ 2 only on the surface▸ 3 not thinking seriously▸ 4 appearing to be similar▸ 5 in top layer1. ) not complete or thorough: CURSORY:The study is too superficial for us to reach any conclusion.I have only a superficial knowledge of the subject.She made a quick and superficial examination of the car.2. ) affecting or involving only the surface or outside part of something: MINOR:Her injuries were only superficial.The house suffered superficial damage from the flood.3. ) a superficial person does not think about serious or important things: SHALLOW:Sarah is so superficial, she only cares about how she looks.He writes about living in a greedy and superficial society.a ) not important or not having a serious effect:We talked about superficial topics like sports and the weather.These are superficial policy changes that help no one.4. ) used for describing the way something appears or seems to be although it is really not like this:Any similarities between the countries are merely superficial.The monkeys bear a superficial resemblance but are in fact quite distinct.5. ) TECHNICAL in or part of the top layer of something such as skin, soil, or rock:Superficial tree roots will catch the rain water before it evaporates away.╾ su|per|fi|ci|al|i|ty [ ,supərfıʃı`æləti ] noun uncount╾ su|per|fi|cial|ly adverb
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.