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Definition of "superficial" []

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

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "superficial" in a sentence
  • "In the video, she takes aim at what she calls superficial pop culture and the effect it is having on young girls ` images."
  • "The lacerations probably looked pretty bad right after the accident, but they were what we call superficial."
  • "Some men, of whom I wish to speak with great respect, are haunted, as it seems to me, with an unreasonable fear of what they call superficial knowledge."