Etymology : Middle English, from Late Latin superficialis, from Latin superficies
Pronunciation : "sü-p&r-'fi-sh&l
Function : adjective
Date : 15th century
1. located on or near the surface; outward, external; not profound; interested only in the obvious; unimportant. superficial\su`per*fi"cial\ , a. [l. superficialis: cf. f. superficiel. see:
superficies.].
2. 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.
3. 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. this superficial tale is but a preface of her worthy praise. he is a presumptuous and superficial writer. that superficial judgment, which happens to be right without deserving to be so. h. newman. -- su`per*fi"cial*ly , adv. -- su`per*fi"cial*ness , n.superficial adj.
4. being or affecting or concerned with a surface; 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].
5. relating to a surface; "superficial measurements"; "the superficial area of the wall".
6. of little substance or significance; "a few superficial editorial changes"; "only trivial objections" [syn: trivial].
7. involving a surface only; "her beauty is only skin-deep"; "superficial bruising"; "a surface wound" [syn: skin-deep, surface(a) ].
8. 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.
9. 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. being or affecting or concerned with a surface; 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" of little substance or significance; "a few superficial editorial changes"; "only trivial objections" relating to a surface; "superficial measurements"; "the superficial area of the wall".
10. 1. disapproval If you describe someone as superficial, you disapprove of them because they do not think deeply, and have little understanding of anything serious or important.
11. If you describe something such as an action, feeling, or relationship as superficial, you mean that it includes only the simplest and most obvious aspects of that thing, and not those aspects which require more effort to deal with or understand. Their arguments do not withstand the most superficial scrutiny His roommate had been pleasant on a superficial level.
12. Superficial is used to describe the appearance of something or the impression that it gives, especially if its real nature is very different. Despite these superficial resemblances, this is a darker work than her earlier novels.
13. Superficial injuries are not very serious, and affect only the surface of the body. You can also describe damage to an object as superficial. The 69-year-old clergyman escaped with superficial wounds = slight.
Cep-Sözlük
| Sözlük-Forum
| Araçlar yeni
| Hakkımızda
| Erişim
| SSS
| Linkler | Şifremi unuttum | Sözlüğe Kelime Ekle 
