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   Su·per·fi·cial

   /ˌso͞opərˈfiSHəl/

   

   adjective

   • 1. existing or occurring at or on the surface: "the building suffered only superficial damage" Similar surfaceexteriorexternalouteroutsideoutermostperipheralslightOpposite deepthorough
   • ▪ situated or occurring on the skin or immediately beneath it: "the superficial muscle groups"
   • ▪ appearing to be true or real only until examined more closely: "the resemblance between the breeds is superficial" Similar apparentspeciousseemingoutwardostensiblecosmeticslightOpposite genuineauthentic
   • ▪ not thorough, deep, or complete; cursory: "he had only the most superficial knowledge of foreign countries" Similar cursoryperfunctorycasualsketchydesultoryunconsideredtokenslapdashslipshodoffhandinadequateimperfectslightrushedhastyhurriedrapidfleetingpassingOpposite thoroughcomprehensive
   • ▪ not having or showing any depth of character or understanding: "perhaps I was a superficial person" Similar shallowsurfaceon the surfaceskin-deepminimalartificialinsignificantunimportantemptyhollowmeaninglessfacileshallowglibflippantthoughtlessempty-headedtrivialfrivoloussillyinanewithout depthfatuousOpposite deepsignificantthoughtful

   Word Origin late Middle English: from late Latin superficialis, from Latin superficies (see superficies).

   Derivatives

   • 1. superficialness noun

   Scrabble Points: 18

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   • U

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   • P

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   • E

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   • R

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   • F

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   • I

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   • C

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   • I

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   • A

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   • L

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