superficial

 
Pronunciation: /ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃ(ə)l, ˌsjuː-/

adjective

  • 1existing or occurring at or on the surface: the building suffered only superficial damage
  • situated or occurring on the skin or immediately beneath it: the superficial muscle groups
  • 2appearing to be true or real only until examined more closely: the resemblance between the breeds is superficial
  • 3not thorough, deep, or complete; cursory: he had only the most superficial knowledge of foreign countries
  • lacking depth of character or understanding: perhaps I was a superficial person
  • 4British Building denoting a quantity of a material expressed in terms of area covered rather than linear dimension or volume.

Derivatives

superficiality

Pronunciation: /-ʃɪˈalɪti/
noun (plural superficialities)

superficialness

noun

Origin:

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

Spelling help

The ending of superficial is spelled -cial.