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
Some suggest his superficial charm is giving a false picture of his political talents.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026
This lack of engagement has put top-down messaging on a collision course with employee reality across a range of organizations, resulting in inconsistent, superficial or even outright resistance to AI use.
—Michael Edmondson, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
The bear swiped at him, causing superficial injuries to his face and chest, and he was taken to a hospital for treatment and released, SBCoFD said.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Their authors also each humble characters who cling to superficial social graces in an attempt to evade abjection.
—Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for superficial
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Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026
This lack of engagement has put top-down messaging on a collision course with employee reality across a range of organizations, resulting in inconsistent, superficial or even outright resistance to AI use.
—Michael Edmondson, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
The bear swiped at him, causing superficial injuries to his face and chest, and he was taken to a hospital for treatment and released, SBCoFD said.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Their authors also each humble characters who cling to superficial social graces in an attempt to evade abjection.
—Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for superficial
Cite this Entry
“Superficial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superficial. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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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