If you describe someone as superficial, you disapprove of them because they do not think deeply, and have little understanding of anything serious or important.
[disapproval]
This guy is a superficial yuppie with no intellect whatsoever.
The tone of his book is consistently negative, occasionally arrogant, and often superficial.
Synonyms: shallow, frivolous, empty-headed, empty More Synonyms of superficial
He hated the superficiality, the neon glamour and the cheap prettiness of life inL.A.
superficiallygraded adverb [ADVERB after verb]
Hill cannot write badly or superficially; his characters and plotting are, as usual,admirable.
2. adjective
If you describe something such as an action, feeling, or relationship as superficial, you mean that it includes only the simplest and most obvious aspects of that thing, and not those aspects which require more effort to deal with or understand.
Their arguments do not withstand the most superficial scrutiny.
His roommate had been pleasant on a superficial level.
Father had no more than a superficial knowledge of music.
superficialityuncountable noun [oft NOUNof noun]
This demonstrates the superficiality of the judgements we make when we first meetpeople.
Synonyms: shallowness, lack of depth, lack of substance, emptiness More Synonyms of superficial
superficiallygraded adverb [ADVERB with verb]
The film touches on these difficult questions, but only superficially.
3. adjective
Superficial is used to describe the appearance of something or the impression that it gives, especially if its real nature is very different.
Despite these superficial resemblances, this is a darker work than her earlier novels.
Spain may well look different but the changes are superficial.
Synonyms: slight, surface, external, cosmetic More Synonyms of superficial
superficiallygraded adverb [ADVERB with cl/group, ADVERB with verb]
Superficially there have been many changes in Britain in recent years.
Synonyms: at first glance, apparently, on the surface, ostensibly More Synonyms of superficial
4. adjective
Superficial injuries are not very serious, and affect only the surface of the body. You can also describe damage to an object as superficial.
The 69-year-old clergyman escaped with superficial wounds.
The explosion caused superficial damage to the fortified house.
5. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
The superficial layers of the skin are the ones nearest the surface.
[medicine]
...superficial blood vessels in the forearm.
More Synonyms of superficial
superficial in British English
(ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃəl)
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
Derived forms
superficiality (ˌsuːpəˌfɪʃɪˈælɪtɪ) or rare superficialness (ˌsuperˈficialness)
noun
superficially (ˌsuperˈficially)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Late Latin superficiālis of the surface, from Latin superficies
superficial in American English
(ˌsupərˈfɪʃəl)
adjective
1.
a.
of or being on the surface
a superficial burn
b.
of or limited to surface area; plane
superficial measurements
2.
concerned with and understanding only the easily apparent and obvious; not profound; shallow
3.
quick and cursory
a superficial reading
4.
seeming such only at first glance; merely apparent
a superficial resemblance
SYNONYMY NOTE: superficial implies concern with the obvious or surface aspects of a thing [superficial characteristics] and, in a derogatory sense, lack of thoroughness, profoundness, significance, etc.[superficial judgments]; shallow, in this connection always derogatory, implies a lack of depth of character, intellect,meaning, etc. [shallow writing]; cursory, which may or may not be derogatory, suggests a hasty consideration of somethingwithout pausing to note details [a cursory inspection]
ME superficyall < L superficialis < superficies: see superficies
Examples of 'superficial' in a sentence
superficial
Now they have this instant access to superficial knowledge.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Medics told us the burns were superficial but his trainers saved his life.
The Sun (2010)
It is less about superficial appearance and more about the processes of looking.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The rest of the damage seemed more superficial.
Baxter, Stephen Anti-Ice (1993)
The superficial glamour of its picturesque figures has faded.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
How sick for their happiness to be dependent on something so superficial.
The Sun (2012)
He was an ambitious and impatient man with some superficial knowledge.
Tepper, Sheri S. A Plague of Angels (1993)
Experts say it would leave superficial burns but is not usually harmful.
The Sun (2013)
Only superficial damage was incurred and the stands and playing surface were unaffected.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He was supposed to be superficial or something.
Christianity Today (2000)
The vast majority of letters sent back from the trenches suggest only the most superficial understanding of what it was really about.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It gives the superficial appearance of being favourable to the West.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Yet candy coating can have its drawbacks: a surface appeal often leads to superficial understanding.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Only after the war did they learn that the American vessel had suffered merely superficial damage.
Max Hastings Nemesis: The Battle for Japan, 194445 (2007)
A nurse wraps wet towels around superficial burns on my wife's leg and my hand.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Basic morality is different from image, which is superficial appearance, not the deeper reality.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Here is a profound understanding concerned not with superficial appearances, but withthe depths of perception that the processes of looking at a painting should involve.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
As things stand, there is a worrying danger that school-age students are only willing to seek superficial knowledge about computers.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They take comfort from polls that appear to put Europe low on voters' lists of priorities but that is a superficial understanding of mainstream opinion.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Therefore, regardless of superficial appearances, a harmony of interests exists between the classes by which the dominant classes protect and advance the interests of the lower classes.
Henry, John F The Making of Neoclassical Economics (1990)
In other languages
superficial
British English: superficial /ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃəl/ ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as superficial, you disapprove of them because they do not think deeply, and have little understanding of anything serious or important.
...his superficial and rather silly friends.
American English: superficial
Arabic: سَطْحِي
Brazilian Portuguese: superficial
Chinese: 表面的
Croatian: površan
Czech: povrchní
Danish: overfladisk
Dutch: oppervlakkig
European Spanish: superficial
Finnish: pinnallinen
French: superficiel
German: oberflächlich
Greek: επιφανειακός
Italian: superficiale
Japanese: 表面的な
Korean: 피상적인
Norwegian: overflatisk
Polish: powierzchowny
European Portuguese: superficial
Romanian: superficial
Russian: поверхностный
Latin American Spanish: superficial
Swedish: ytlig
Thai: ผิวเผิน ไม่ลึกซึ้ง ไม่สำคัญ
Turkish: yapay
Ukrainian: поверховий
Vietnamese: hời hợt
Chinese translation of 'superficial'
superficial
(suːpəˈfɪʃəl)
adj
[wound, injury, damage]表皮的 (biǎopí de)
[knowledge, analysis]表面性的 (biǎomiànxìng de)
(pej)[person]肤(膚)浅(淺)的 (fūqiǎn de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
(of a person) lacking deep emotions or serious interests
a superficial yuppie with no intellect whatsoever
Synonyms
shallow
I think he is shallow, vain and untrustworthy.
frivolous
I was a bit too frivolous to be a doctor.
empty-headed
They had misjudged me as empty-headed and dim.
empty
Without my friends my life would be lonely and empty.
silly
That's a silly thing to say.
lightweight
Some of the discussion in the book is lightweight and unconvincing.
trivial
I don't like to visit the doctor just for something trivial.
Opposites
serious
,
earnest
2 (adjective)
Definition
not careful or thorough
He only gave it a superficial glance through.
Synonyms
hasty
After the hasty meal, they took up their positions.
cursory
I gave the letter a fairly cursory reading.
perfunctory
She gave the list only a perfunctory glance.
passing
He only gave us a passing glance.
nodding
hurried
a hurried overnight redrafting of the text
casual
sketchy
Details of what actually happened are still sketchy.
facile
I hated him making facile suggestions when I knew the problem was extremely complex.
desultory
slapdash
a slapdash piece of work
inattentive
Opposites
detailed
,
comprehensive
,
thorough
,
major
,
complete
,
substantial
,
probing
,
penetrating
,
in depth
,
exhaustive
3 (adjective)
Definition
of, near, or forming the surface
It may well look different but the changes are only superficial.
Synonyms
slight
It's only made a slight difference.
surface
external
the external surface of the wall
cosmetic
It is a cosmetic measure which will not help the situation in the long run.
on the surface
exterior
The exterior walls were made of pre-formed concrete.
peripheral
That information is peripheral to the main story.
skin-deep
He denies that racism is just skin-deep.
Opposites
deep
,
profound
4 (adjective)
Definition
only outwardly apparent rather than genuine or actual
Synonyms
outward
In spite of my outward calm, I was very shaken.
seeming
We'll have peace of mind amidst seeming chaos.
apparent
I was a bit depressed by our apparent lack of progress.
evident
He spoke with evident emotion about his ordeal.
ostensible
the ostensible reason for her resignation
Additional synonyms
in the sense of apparent
Definition
seeming as opposed to real
I was a bit depressed by our apparent lack of progress.
Synonyms
seeming,
supposed,
alleged,
outward,
exterior,
superficial,
ostensible,
specious
in the sense of cosmetic
Definition
improving in appearance only
It is a cosmetic measure which will not help the situation in the long run.
Synonyms
superficial,
surface,
touching-up,
nonessential,
beautifying
in the sense of cursory
Definition
hasty and usually superficial
I gave the letter a fairly cursory reading.
Synonyms
brief,
passing,
rapid,
casual,
summary,
slight,
hurried,
careless,
superficial,
hasty,
perfunctory,
desultory,
offhand,
slapdash
Synonyms of 'superficial'
superficial
Explore 'superficial' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of empty
Definition
without purpose, substance, or value
Without my friends my life would be lonely and empty.
Synonyms
worthless,
meaningless,
hollow,
pointless,
unsatisfactory,
futile,
unreal,
senseless,
frivolous,
fruitless,
aimless,
inane,
valueless,
purposeless,
otiose,
bootless (old-fashioned),
MT
in the sense of empty-headed
Definition
silly or incapable of serious thought
They had misjudged me as empty-headed and dim.
Synonyms
scatterbrained,
simple,
stupid,
silly,
dizzy (informal),
frivolous,
giddy,
goofy (informal),
vacuous,
inane,
skittish,
flighty,
brainless,
harebrained,
featherbrained,
ditzy or ditsy (slang)
in the sense of evident
Definition
easy to see or understand
He spoke with evident emotion about his ordeal.
Synonyms
obvious,
clear,
plain,
apparent,
visible,
patent,
manifest,
tangible,
noticeable,
blatant,
conspicuous,
unmistakable,
palpable,
salient,
indisputable,
perceptible,
incontrovertible,
incontestable,
plain as the nose on your face
in the sense of exterior
Definition
of, situated on, or suitable for the outside
The exterior walls were made of pre-formed concrete.
Synonyms
outer,
outside,
external,
surface,
outward,
superficial,
outermost
in the sense of external
Definition
of, situated on, or suitable for the outside
the external surface of the wall
Synonyms
outer,
outside,
surface,
apparent,
visible,
outward,
exterior,
superficial,
outermost
in the sense of facile
Definition
(of a remark, argument, etc.) overly simple and showing lack of real thought
I hated him making facile suggestions when I knew the problem was extremely complex.
Synonyms
superficial,
shallow,
slick,
glib,
hasty,
cursory
in the sense of frivolous
Definition
not serious or sensible in content, attitude, or behaviour
I was a bit too frivolous to be a doctor.
Synonyms
flippant,
foolish,
dizzy (informal),
superficial,
silly,
flip (informal),
juvenile,
idle,
childish,
giddy,
puerile,
flighty,
ill-considered,
empty-headed,
light-hearted,
nonserious,
light-minded,
ditzy or ditsy (slang)
in the sense of hurried
Definition
done quickly or too quickly
a hurried overnight redrafting of the text
Synonyms
rushed,
perfunctory,
hectic,
speedy,
superficial,
hasty,
cursory,
slapdash
in the sense of lightweight
Definition
not serious
Some of the discussion in the book is lightweight and unconvincing.
Synonyms
unimportant,
shallow,
trivial,
insignificant,
slight,
petty,
worthless,
trifling,
flimsy,
paltry,
inconsequential,
undemanding,
insubstantial,
nickel-and-dime (US, slang),
of no account
in the sense of ostensible
Definition
apparent or seeming
the ostensible reason for her resignation
Synonyms
apparent,
seeming,
supposed,
alleged,
so-called,
pretended,
exhibited,
manifest,
outward,
superficial,
professed,
purported,
avowed,
specious
Additional synonyms
in the sense of passing
Definition
casual or superficial
He only gave us a passing glance.
Synonyms
superficial,
short,
quick,
slight,
glancing,
casual,
summary,
shallow,
hasty,
cursory,
perfunctory,
desultory
in the sense of perfunctory
Definition
done only as a matter of routine
She gave the list only a perfunctory glance.
Synonyms
offhand,
routine,
wooden,
automatic,
stereotyped,
mechanical,
indifferent,
careless,
superficial,
negligent,
sketchy,
unconcerned,
cursory,
unthinking,
slovenly,
heedless,
slipshod,
inattentive
in the sense of peripheral
Definition
not relating to the most important part of something
That information is peripheral to the main story.
Synonyms
secondary,
beside the point,
minor,
marginal,
irrelevant,
superficial,
unimportant,
incidental,
tangential,
inessential
in the sense of seeming
Definition
apparent but not real
We'll have peace of mind amidst seeming chaos.
Synonyms
apparent,
appearing,
outward,
surface,
illusory,
ostensible,
specious,
quasi-
in the sense of silly
Definition
behaving in a foolish or childish way
That's a silly thing to say.
Synonyms
stupid,
ridiculous,
absurd,
daft,
inane,
childish,
immature,
senseless,
frivolous,
preposterous,
giddy,
goofy (informal),
idiotic,
dozy (British, informal),
fatuous,
witless,
puerile,
brainless,
asinine,
dumb-ass (slang),
cockamamie (slang, US),
dopy (slang)
in the sense of sketchy
Definition
giving only a rough or incomplete description
Details of what actually happened are still sketchy.
Synonyms
incomplete,
rough,
vague,
slight,
outline,
inadequate,
crude,
superficial,
unfinished,
skimpy,
scrappy,
cursory,
perfunctory,
cobbled together,
bitty
in the sense of skin-deep
Definition
not of real importance
He denies that racism is just skin-deep.
Synonyms
superficial,
surface,
external,
artificial,
shallow,
on the surface,
meaningless
in the sense of slapdash
Definition
careless or hasty
a slapdash piece of work
Synonyms
careless,
sloppy (informal),
hasty,
disorderly,
hurried,
last-minute,
messy,
clumsy,
negligent,
untidy,
haphazard,
perfunctory,
thoughtless,
thrown-together,
slovenly,
slipshod
in the sense of trivial
Definition
of little importance
I don't like to visit the doctor just for something trivial.