superficial

/,sju:pə'fiʃəl/

Thân thiện

The editor made only superficial changes to the manuscript.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or located on the surface: Pertaining to the outer layer or external aspect of something.
   • Lacking depth or thoroughness: Concerned with or understanding only the obvious and apparent aspects; not profound, serious, or complete.
   • Apparent but not real or substantial: Seeming to be true or important only at first glance; not significant when examined more closely.

Examples of Usage

• Relating to the surface:
  • The wound was only superficial and healed quickly.
  • They made superficial measurements of the land.
• Lacking depth or thoroughness:
  • His analysis of the problem was disappointingly superficial.
  • She has a superficial understanding of the theory.
• Apparent but not substantial:
  • The two designs have only superficial differences.
  • Their friendship was based on superficial similarities.

Advanced Usage

• "superficial charm": An appealing manner that is not sincere or deep.
  • He used his superficial charm to win people over quickly.
• "superficial resemblance": A similarity that is only in outward appearance.
  • There is a superficial resemblance between the two species, but they are genetically distinct.

Variants and Related Words

• Superficially (adverb): In a way that is on or near the surface, or that is not thorough.
  • The two plans are superficially similar.
• Superficiality (noun): The quality of being superficial.
  • The superficiality of the debate frustrated the experts.

Synonyms

• Surface: On the outside.
• Shallow: Lacking depth of thought or knowledge.
• Cursory: Hasty and therefore not thorough.
• Facile: Appearing neat and comprehensive only by ignoring the true complexities.

Antonyms

• Deep: Very intense or extreme.
• Profound: Having deep insight or understanding.
• Thorough: Carried out completely and carefully.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "scratch the surface": To deal with only a small part of a subject or problem.
  • Our investigation has only scratched the surface of this complex issue.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. of little substance or significance
   • a few superficial editorial changes
   • only trivial objections
2. of, affecting, or being on or near the surface
   • superficial measurements
   • the superficial area of the wall
   • a superficial wound
3. concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually
   • superficial similarities
   • a superficial mind
   • his thinking was superficial and fuzzy
   • superficial knowledge
   • the superficial report didn't give the true picture
   • only superficial differences

Từ đồng nghĩa

• trivial