superficial

superficial
su|per|fi|cial [ˌsu:pəˈfıʃəl US -pər-] adj
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
1¦(not looking/studying carefully)¦
2¦(appearance)¦
3¦(wound/damage)¦
4¦(person)¦
5¦(not important)¦
6¦(top layer)¦
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
[Date: 1300-1400; : Late Latin; Origin: superficialis, from Latin superficies 'surface', from facies 'face']
1.) ¦(NOT LOOKING/STUDYING CAREFULLY)¦
not studying or looking at something carefully and only seeing the most noticeable things
superficial examination/study etc
▪ Even a superficial inspection revealed serious flaws.
▪ Naturally, such visits can allow only the most superficial understanding of prison life.
2.) ¦(APPEARANCE)¦
seeming to have a particular quality, although this is not true or real
superficial resemblance/similarity
▪ Despite their superficial similarities, the two novels are in fact very different.
▪ Beneath his refined manners and superficial elegance lay something treacherous.
at/on a superficial level
▪ At a superficial level, things seem to have remained the same.
3.) ¦(WOUND/DAMAGE)¦
affecting only the surface of your skin or the outside part of something, and therefore not serious
▪ She escaped with only superficial cuts and bruises.
▪ superficial damage
4.) ¦(PERSON)¦
someone who is superficial does not think about things that are serious or important - used to show disapproval
= ↑shallow
▪ All the other girls seemed silly and superficial to Darlene.
5.) ¦(NOT IMPORTANT)¦
superficial changes, difficulties etc are not important and do not have a big effect
= ↑minor
▪ superficial changes in government policies
6.) ¦(TOP LAYER)¦
existing in or relating to the top layer of something, especially soil, rock etc
>superficially adv
>superficiality [ˌsu:pəfıʃiˈælıti US -pər-] n [U]

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?
Synonyms:
, , , , , / ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Superficial — Su per*fi cial, a. [L. superficialis: cf. F. superficiel. See {Superficies}.] 1. 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • superficial — SUPERFICIÁL, Ă, superficiali, e, adj. Care apare, se produce, rămâne la suprafaţa unui obiect, a unei fiinţe; fig. care apare, se produce, rămâne la suprafaţă, fără să atingă miezul, esenţa lucrurilor. ♦ fig. (Despre oameni) Care tratează… …   Dicționar Român

  • superficial — superficial, shallow, cursory, uncritical can mean lacking in depth, solidity, and comprehensiveness. Superficial applies chiefly to persons, their minds, their emotions, their attainments, or their utterances or writings, but it is also… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • superficial — adjetivo 1. De la superficie: quemadura superficial, capa superficial. 2. Que no tiene solidez ni profundidad, o que se queda en la superficie: amistad superficial, conversación superficial. 3. Uso/registro: coloquial. Pragmática …   Diccionario Salamanca de la Lengua Española

  • superficial — [so͞o΄pər fish′əl] adj. [ME superficyall < L superficialis < superficies: see SUPERFICIES] 1. a) of or being on the surface [a superficial burn] b) of or limited to surface area; plane [superficial measurements] 2. concerned with and… …   English World dictionary

  • Superficial — is a general term meaning regarding the surface , often metaphorically. Both in the literal as in the metaphorical sense the term has often a negative connotation based on the idea that deeper parts are also important to consider.In human anatomy …   Wikipedia

  • superficial — (Del lat. superficiālis). 1. adj. Perteneciente o relativo a la superficie. 2. Que está o se queda en ella. 3. Aparente, sin solidez ni sustancia. 4. Frívolo, sin fundamento. ☛ V. estructura superficial, tensión superficial …   Diccionario de la lengua española

  • Superficial — (Superficiär, v. lat.), oberflächlich, auf der Oberfläche befindlich, dieselbe allein angehend …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • superficial — 1. relacionado con la piel o con otra superficie. 2. que no es grave ni peligroso. Diccionario Mosby Medicina, Enfermería y Ciencias de la Salud, Ediciones Hancourt, S.A. 1999 …   Diccionario médico

  • superficial — I adjective careless, cursory, depthless, desultory, empty, exterior, external, frivolous, hasty, hurried, inane, insubstantial, lax, /ev/s, outward, perfunctory, sciolistic, shallow, shoal, silly, skin deep, slapdash, slight, surface, trifling,… …   Law dictionary

  • superficial — late 14c., in anatomical and mathematical uses, of or relating to a surface, from L. superficialis of or pertaining to the surface, from superficies surface, from super above, over (see SUPER (Cf. super )) + facies form, face (see FACE (Cf. face) …   Etymology dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”