superficial
adjective/ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃl/
/ˌsuːpərˈfɪʃl/
- (often disapproving) not studying or looking at something carefully or completely; seeing only what is obvious
- a superficial analysis
- The book shows only a superficial understanding of the historical context.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- seem
- remain
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- appearing 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 Dictionaryverbs- be
- seem
- remain
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- (of a wound or damage) only affecting the surface and therefore not serious
- a superficial injury
- superficial burns
- (disapproving) not serious or important and not having any depth of understanding or feeling synonym shallow
- a superficial friendship
- The guests engaged in superficial chatter.
- She's so superficial!
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- seem
- remain
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- (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’.
Check pronunciation:
superficial