superficial
adjective
su·per·fi·cial
ˌsü-pər-ˈfi-shəl 
1
a(1)
: of, relating to, or located near a surface
(2)
: lying on, not penetrating below, or affecting only the surface
superficial wounds
b
British, of a unit of measure
: square
superficial foot
2
a
: concerned only with the obvious or apparent : shallow
b
: seen on the surface : external
c
: presenting only an appearance without substance or significance
Examples of superficial in a Sentence
Wonderbra model Eva Herzigova sued a Canadian underwear company that refused to pay her $30,000 fee because she showed up for the photo shoot with a short haircut that company didn't like. You know, it's shameful in this day and age how superficial and sexist some of these ad execs are.
—
Lewis Grossberger, Mediaweek, 14 Apr. 2003
Angelina Jolie goes blond and bubbly and hell hasn't even started freezing over. The brooding brunette donned a Monroe-esque platinum coif for her most recent film, "Life or Something Like It." She plays a superficial reporter who learns what's most important in life—which is, apparently, getting it on with Edward Burns.
—Katerine Stroup et al., Newsweek, 23 July 2001
All this discussion of money may seem a vulgar recital of greed. But that is really just a superficial, simplistic criticism and usually a dishonest one.
—Garth Clark, Ceramics Monthly, October 2001
a superficial analysis of the results
They had a superficial knowledge of the topic.
These superficial changes don't address the underlying problem.
The storm only caused superficial damage to the building.
Lewis Grossberger, Mediaweek, 14 Apr. 2003
Angelina Jolie goes blond and bubbly and hell hasn't even started freezing over. The brooding brunette donned a Monroe-esque platinum coif for her most recent film, "Life or Something Like It." She plays a superficial reporter who learns what's most important in life—which is, apparently, getting it on with Edward Burns.
—Katerine Stroup et al., Newsweek, 23 July 2001
All this discussion of money may seem a vulgar recital of greed. But that is really just a superficial, simplistic criticism and usually a dishonest one.
—Garth Clark, Ceramics Monthly, October 2001
a superficial analysis of the results
They had a superficial knowledge of the topic.
These superficial changes don't address the underlying problem.
The storm only caused superficial damage to the building.
Recent Examples on the Web
But simply moving roles under different titles is a superficial change that does more harm than good.
—Forrester, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
If the first film expressed a fervent but surface-level appreciation for the outcast-character dramas of Martin Scorsese, this second one betrays not even a superficial adoration of the Hollywood musicals of old.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024
This stands in contrast to the often superficial engagements seen on mainstream platforms.
—Gary Weinstein, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Although more superficial aspects of his middle-eastern culture of 2,000 years ago contrast sharply with our western-capitalist society, other, deeper aspects of the two eras are eerily similar.
—Leslie Smith Reeves Faith Matters, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for superficial 
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Forrester, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
If the first film expressed a fervent but surface-level appreciation for the outcast-character dramas of Martin Scorsese, this second one betrays not even a superficial adoration of the Hollywood musicals of old.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024
This stands in contrast to the often superficial engagements seen on mainstream platforms.
—Gary Weinstein, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Although more superficial aspects of his middle-eastern culture of 2,000 years ago contrast sharply with our western-capitalist society, other, deeper aspects of the two eras are eerily similar.
—Leslie Smith Reeves Faith Matters, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for superficial
Dictionary Entries Near superficial
Cite this Entry
“Superficial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superficial. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
superficial
adjective
su·per·fi·cial
ˌsü-pər-ˈfish-əl
1
a
: of or relating to a surface
b
: lying on, not going below, or affecting only the surface
superficial wounds
2
: not thorough : shallow
a superficial inspection
superficiality
noun
-ˌfish-ē-ˈal-ət-ē
Medical Definition
superficial
adjective
su·per·fi·cial
ˌsü-pər-ˈfish-əl
1
: of, relating to, or located near the surface
superficial blood vessels
2
: lying on, not penetrating below, or affecting only the surface
superficial wounds
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