'Superficial' definitions:
Definition of 'superficial'
From: WordNet
adjective
Concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually; "superficial similarities"; "a superficial mind"; "his thinking was superficial and fuzzy"; "superficial knowledge"; "the superficial report didn't give the true picture"; "only superficial differences" [ant: profound]
adjective
Of, affecting, or being on or near the surface; "superficial measurements"; "the superficial area of the wall"; "a superficial wound"
adjective
Of little substance or significance; "a few superficial editorial changes"; "only trivial objections" [syn: superficial, trivial]
Definition of 'Superficial'
From: GCIDE
- Superficial \Su`per*fi"cial\, a. [L. superficialis: cf. F. superficiel. See Superficies.]
- 1. 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. [1913 Webster]
- 2. 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. [1913 Webster]
- This superficial tale Is but a preface of her worthy praise. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- He is a presumptuous and superficial writer. --Burke. [1913 Webster]
- That superficial judgment, which happens to be right without deserving to be so. --J. H. Newman. [1913 Webster] -- {Su`per*fi"cial*ly}, adv. -- {Su`per*fi"cial*ness}, n. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'superficial'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- 3-D,
- airy,
- amateur,
- amateurish,
- ankle-deep,
- apparent,
- appearing,
- arid,
- asinine,
- barren,
- birdbrained,
- birdwitted,
- blah,
- blank,
- bloodless,
- catchpenny,
- characterless,
- cold,
- colorless,
- conventionalized,
- cortical,
- cosmetic,
- critical,
- cubic,
- cursory,
- dabbling,
- dead,
- depthless,
- dilettante,
- dilettantish,
- dimensional,
- dismal,
- draggy,
- drearisome,
- dreary,
- dry,
- dryasdust,
- dull,
- dusty,
- effete,
- elephantine,
- empty,
- epidermal,
- epidermic,
- etiolated,
- exomorphic,
- expeditious,
- exterior,
- external,
- extrinsic,
- fade,
- fatuous,
- featherbrained,
- festinate,
- feverish,
- few,
- flat,
- flighty,
- flimsy,
- fluffy,
- flying,
- foolish,
- footling,
- formal,
- formalist,
- formalistic,
- formulary,
- fourth-dimensional,
- fribble,
- fribbling,
- fringe,
- frivolous,
- frothy,
- furious,
- futile,
- general,
- half-assed,
- half-baked,
- half-cocked,
- hasty,
- heavy,
- ho-hum,
- hollow,
- hurried,
- idle,
- immature,
- immediate,
- impersonal,
- inane,
- inconsequential,
- inconsiderable,
- inexcitable,
- insignificant,
- insipid,
- instant,
- insubstantial,
- jejune,
- knee-deep,
- last-minute,
- leaden,
- legalistic,
- lifeless,
- light,
- little,
- low,
- low-spirited,
- meager,
- meaningless,
- miniature,
- negligible,
- no great shakes,
- nominal,
- not deep,
- nugacious,
- nugatory,
- on the spot,
- on the surface,
- open,
- ostensible,
- otiose,
- out,
- outer,
- outermost,
- outlying,
- outmost,
- outside,
- outstanding,
- outward,
- outward-facing,
- pale,
- pallid,
- passing,
- pedantic,
- pedestrian,
- perfunctory,
- peripheral,
- petty,
- picayune,
- picayunish,
- plodding,
- pointless,
- poky,
- ponderous,
- prompt,
- proportional,
- public,
- quick,
- roundabout,
- sciolistic,
- seeming,
- shallow,
- shallow-headed,
- shallow-minded,
- shallow-pated,
- shallow-rooted,
- shallow-witted,
- shoal,
- short,
- silly,
- sketchy,
- skin-deep,
- slap-bang,
- slapdash,
- slender,
- slight,
- slow,
- small,
- smattering,
- snap,
- solemn,
- sophomoric,
- space,
- space-time,
- spatial,
- spatiotemporal,
- speedy,
- spherical,
- spiritless,
- stereoscopic,
- sterile,
- stiff,
- stodgy,
- stuffy,
- stylized,
- surface,
- swift,
- tasteless,
- tedious,
- thin,
- three-dimensional,
- tiny,
- trifling,
- trite,
- trivial,
- two-dimensional,
- uncritical,
- unimportant,
- unlively,
- unprofound,
- urgent,
- vacuous,
- vain,
- vapid,
- visible,
- volatile,
- volumetric,
- windy,
- wooden