superficial
adjective
su·per·fi·cial
ˌsü-pər-ˈfi-shəl 
1
a
: of, relating to, or located near a surface
superficial veins
brushing away superficial dirt
b
: affecting only the outer part or surface : not deep or serious
superficial wounds
The storm only caused superficial damage to the building.
The worker suffered minor, superficial injuries to her arm and back.—
Aliza Chasan
Aliza Chasan2
a
: concerned only with the obvious or apparent : not thorough or complete : shallow
a superficial analysis
They had a superficial understanding of the topic.
b
: seen only in the outward appearance or manner : external
a superficial charm
a superficial similarity
That gives the film a superficial resemblance to the quest at the heart of Saving Private Ryan.—David Faris
David Faris
c
: presenting only an appearance without substance or significance
I'm not interested in superficial relationships.
The world likes to accuse L.A. of being a tacky, superficial town that lacks a sense of tradition.—Mark Swed
Mark SwedExamples 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
Only in the most superficial sense does Wolves look like a step up from Middlesbrough right now.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Once considered superficial next to financial advice and tax planning, services for health and wellness, family and kids, and travel and self-improvement are becoming core competencies in the business of advising and helping wealthy families.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
The film is a statement in favor of genuine friendship and love, and against superficial relationships.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Camacho’s sister, who placed the 911 call, had also been injured, suffering superficial cuts and bleeding from her mouth, officials said.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superficial
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Oliver Kay, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Once considered superficial next to financial advice and tax planning, services for health and wellness, family and kids, and travel and self-improvement are becoming core competencies in the business of advising and helping wealthy families.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
The film is a statement in favor of genuine friendship and love, and against superficial relationships.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Camacho’s sister, who placed the 911 call, had also been injured, suffering superficial cuts and bleeding from her mouth, officials said.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superficial
Cite this Entry
“Superficial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superficial. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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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