Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Superficial; not deep or lasting: Describing something that exists only on the surface and lacks depth, substance, or permanence. It often refers to qualities like beauty, emotions, or impressions that are not genuine or profound.

Usage

The adjective "skin-deep" is used to emphasize that a quality is merely external and does not reflect a deeper, more meaningful reality. It is typically used in a critical or cautionary context.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • His friendliness was only skin-deep; he was actually very selfish.
  • The damage to the car was skin-deep, so it was easy to repair.
  • Remember that beauty is often skin-deep.

Advanced Usage

• "only skin-deep": A common reinforcing phrase used to stress the superficial nature of something.
  • Their political agreement was only skin-deep and fell apart quickly.
• Used in contrast with deeper, more substantial qualities.
  • True character is not skin-deep; it is revealed over time.

Variants and Related Words

• Superficial (adj): Existing or occurring on the surface; lacking depth.
  • She has only a superficial understanding of the topic.
• Surface-level (adj): Relating to or located on the surface; not deep or thorough.
  • The analysis was disappointingly surface-level.

Synonyms

• Shallow
• External
• Outward

Antonyms

• Deep-seated
• Profound
• Genuine
• Heartfelt

Related Idioms

• Beauty is only skin-deep: A proverb meaning that physical beauty is superficial and does not reflect a person's true character or worth.
  • She taught her daughters that beauty is only skin-deep, and kindness is what truly matters.

Adjective

1. penetrating no deeper than the skin: "her beauty is only skin-deep"