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superficial - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'superficial' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Superficial [ a.]
- Of or pertaining to the superficies, or surface; lying on the surface; shallow; not deep; as, a superficial color; a superficial covering; superficial measure or contents; superficial tillage.
- Reaching or comprehending only what is obvious or apparent; not deep or profound; shallow; -- said especially in respect to study, learning, and the like; as, a superficial scholar; superficial knowledge.

Meaning of 'superficial' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . superficial [ a]
Meaning (1):
- concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually
Example in sentence:
  • a superficial mind;
  • his thinking was superficial and fuzzy;
  • only superficial differences;
  • superficial knowledge;
  • superficial similarities;
  • the superficial report didn't give the true picture
Meaning (2):
- of, affecting, or being on or near the surface
Example in sentence:
  • a superficial wound;
  • superficial measurements;
  • the superficial area of the wall
3 . superficial [ s]
Meaning (3):
- hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
Example in sentence:
  • a casual (or cursory) inspection failed to reveal the house's structural flaws;
  • a passing glance;
  • In his paper, he showed a very superficial understanding of psychoanalytic theory;
  • perfunctory courtesy
Meaning (4):
- of little substance or significance
Example in sentence:
  • a few superficial editorial changes;
  • only trivial objections
Meaning (5):
- occurring on or near the surface of the skin
Example in sentence:
  • superficial burns;
  • superficial facial injuries

Nearby Words:

sup supawn supe super super- superable superabound superabundance superabundant superacidulated

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