SUPERFICIAL


Meaning of SUPERFICIAL in English

su ‧ per ‧ fi ‧ cial /ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃ ə l◂ $ -pər-/ BrE AmE adjective

[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Late Latin ; Origin: superficialis , from Latin superficies 'surface' , from facies 'face' ]

1 . NOT LOOKING/STUDYING CAREFULLY not studying or looking at something carefully and only seeing the most noticeable things

superficial examination/study etc

Even a superficial inspection revealed serious flaws.

Naturally, such visits can allow only the most superficial understanding of prison life.

2 . APPEARANCE seeming to have a particular quality, although this is not true or real

superficial resemblance/similarity

Despite their superficial similarities, the two novels are, in fact, very different.

Beneath his refined manners and superficial elegance lay something treacherous.

at/on a superficial level

At a superficial level, things seem to have remained the same.

3 . WOUND/DAMAGE affecting only the surface of your skin or the outside part of something, and therefore not serious:

She escaped with only superficial cuts and bruises.

superficial damage

4 . PERSON someone who is superficial does not think about things that are serious or important – used to show disapproval SYN shallow :

All the other girls seemed silly and superficial to Darlene.

5 . NOT IMPORTANT superficial changes, difficulties etc are not important and do not have a big effect SYN minor :

superficial changes in government policies

6 . TOP LAYER existing in or relating to the top layer of something, especially soil, rock etc

—superficially adverb

—superficiality /ˌsuːpəfɪʃiˈæləti, ˌsuːpəfɪʃiˈælɪti $ -pər-/ noun [uncountable]

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.