- superficial
- [[t]su͟ːpə(r)fɪ̱ʃ(ə)l[/t]]
1) ADJ-GRADED (disapproval) 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.
This guy is a superficial yuppie with no intellect whatsoever...
The tone of his book is consistently negative, occasionally arrogant, and often superficial.
Derived words:superficiality [[t]su͟ːpə(r)fɪʃiæ̱lɪti[/t]] N-UNCOUNT oft N of nHe hated the superficiality, the neon glamour and the cheap prettiness of life in L.A.
superficially ADV-GRADED ADV after vHill cannot write badly or superficially; his characters and plotting are, as usual, admirable.
2) ADJ-GRADED 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.
Derived words:superficiality N-UNCOUNT oft N of nHis assessment only serves to demonstrate the superficiality of the judgements we make when we first meet people.
superficially ADV-GRADED ADV with vThe film touches on these difficult questions, but only superficially.
3) ADJ-GRADED 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.
Derived words:superficially ADV-GRADED ADV with cl/group, ADV with vMany of these killers are frequently glib and superficially charming...
Superficially there have been many changes in Britain in recent years.
4) ADJ-GRADED 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.
Syn:5) ADJ: ADJ n The superficial layers of the skin are the ones nearest the surface. [MEDICAL]...superficial blood vessels in the forearm.
English dictionary. 2008.