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superficial

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The definition of superficial is something on the surface or a person concerned only about obvious things.

(adjective)

An example of superficial is an oil spill that doesn't go very deep into the ocean.
An example of superficial is someone who is only interested in how they and others look.

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See superficial in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

1. of or being on the surface: a superficial burn
2. of or limited to surface area; plane: superficial measurements
concerned with and understanding only the easily apparent and obvious; not profound; shallow
quick and cursory: a superficial reading
seeming such only at first glance; merely apparent: a superficial resemblance

Origin: ME superficyall < L superficialis < superficies: see superficies

Related Forms:

superficiality noun pl. superficialities
superficially adverb
superficialness noun

See superficial in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Of, affecting, or being on or near the surface: a superficial wound.
Concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; shallow.
Apparent rather than actual or substantial: a superficial resemblance.
Trivial; insignificant: made only a few superficial changes in the manuscript.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French superficiel

Origin: , from Latin superficiālis

Origin: , from superficiēs, surface; see superficies

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Related Forms:

suˌper·fiˌci·alˈi·ty (-fĭshˌē-ălˈĭ-tē), suˌper·fiˈcial·ness (-fĭshˈəl-nĭs) noun

suˌper·fiˈcial·ly adverb

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