su
per
fi
cial
Comparative
more superficial
Superlative
most superficial
1
appearing to have a certain quality, yet lacking it in reality
- His apologies seemed superficial and insincere.
- His superficial charm masked his true intentions.
- She found his compliments to be superficial and insincere.
- She realized that their friendship was only superficial and lacked genuine connection.
2
not done in a complete or thorough way
- The book provides a superficial overview of the era without delving into the complexities and nuances.
- He had only a superficial understanding of the topic, having barely scratched the surface in his studies.
- She gave a superficial examination of the document without thoroughly reviewing its contents.
- The manager's decision seemed superficial, as it didn't consider all the factors involved.
- The journalist's article provided only a superficial overview of the complex issue.
3
existing only on the surface or the outer layer of something, particularly soil or rock
- The superficial layer of soil is rich in nutrients.
- Superficial scratches on the surface of the car can be easily fixed.
- Superficial roots of the plant help it absorb water quickly.
- The superficial rock layer is easy to break apart.
4
lacking a deep understanding of important or serious matters
- Her superficial knowledge of politics made it difficult for her to engage in meaningful discussions.
- He was often criticized for his superficial understanding of the complex issues at hand.
- Despite her charm, her superficial interests prevented her from forming deep connections with others.
- His superficial approach to solving problems often led to short-term fixes rather than lasting solutions.
- She was more concerned with appearances than substance, making her seem superficial to her colleagues.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
5
lacking importance or significance
- Despite his impressive appearance, his conversations remained superficial, avoiding any meaningful discussions about life or philosophy.
- The team's victory in the friendly match was superficial, as it didn't affect their standing in the league.
- Her superficial achievements, such as material possessions and social media popularity, did not reflect her true character or values.
- Jane was known for her superficial friendships, as she rarely delved into deeper conversations or personal connections.
- At the party, guests engaged in superficial chatter, discussing trivial topics like the weather and weekend plans.
Synonyms:
6
concerned only with surface-level appearances or trivial matters, lacking depth or genuine understanding
- His superficial charm was enough to win people over, but he never truly cared about them.
- She was often criticized for her superficial approach to relationships, focusing only on looks and material wealth.
- The superficial nature of their conversation left little room for deeper connection.
- Despite her seemingly friendly demeanor, she had a rather superficial understanding of others' feelings.
- The celebrity's superficial persona was crafted to appeal to the public, but few knew the real person behind it.