WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
su•per•fi•cial /ˌsupɚˈfɪʃəl/USA pronunciation
adj.
su•per•fi•cial•ly, adv.: Superficially these two look alike.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- being at, on, or near the surface:a superficial wound.
- external or outward; apparent rather than real:They bear a superficial resemblance to each other.
- concerned with or understanding only what is on the surface or what is obvious;
shallow:a superficial analysis of the problem.
su•per•fi•cial•ly, adv.: Superficially these two look alike.
su•per•fi•cial
(so̅o̅′pər fish′əl),USA pronunciation adj.
su•per•fi•ci•al•i•ty
(so̅o̅′pər fish′ē al′i tē),USA pronunciation su′per•fi′cial•ness, n.
su′per•fi′cial•ly, adv.
- being at, on, or near the surface:a superficial wound.
- of or pertaining to the surface:superficial measurement.
- external or outward:a superficial resemblance.
- concerned with or comprehending only what is on the surface or obvious:a superficial observer.
- shallow; not profound or thorough:a superficial writer.
- apparent rather than real.
- insubstantial or insignificant:superficial improvements.
- Late Latin superficiālis, equivalent. to Latin superfici(ēs) superficies + -ālis -al1
- late Middle English superfyciall 1375–1425