Topic: EARTH SCIENCES
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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Late Latin |
| Origin: | superficialis, from Latin superficies 'surface', from facies 'face' |
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su‧per‧fi‧cial
1 not studying or looking at something carefully and only seeing the most noticeable things Naturally, such visits can allow only the most superficial understanding of prison life.
not looking/studying carefully
Naturally, such visits can allow only the most superficial understanding of prison life.2 seeming to have a particular quality, although this is not true or real Beneath his refined manners and superficial elegance lay something treacherous.
appearance
superficial resemblance/similarity Despite their superficial similarities, the two novels are in fact very different.
Despite their superficial similarities, the two novels are in fact very different.Beneath his refined manners and superficial elegance lay something treacherous.3 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
wound/damage
She escaped with only superficial cuts and bruises.superficial damage4 someone who is superficial does not think about things that are serious or important - used to show disapproval [= shallow]: All the other girls seemed silly and superficial to Darlene.
person
All the other girls seemed silly and superficial to Darlene.5 superficial changes, difficulties etc are not important and do not have a big effect [= minor]: superficial changes in government policies
not important
superficial changes in government policies6 existing in or relating to the top layer of something, especially soil, rock etc
top layer
HE —superficially adverb
—superficiality noun [uncountable]
noun [uncountable]