superficial

comparative more superficial · superlative most superficial

1. relationalExisting, occurring, or located on the surface.

   Synonyms: surficial

   1. oftenrelationalanatomyClose to the surface of the body; especially, situated or occurring on the skin or immediately beneath it.

      superficial muscles

      3 more examples

      The epidermis is superficial to the subcutis.

      The superficial fascia surrounds the body and includes subcutaneous fat; the deep fascia surrounds the musculoskeletal system; the meningeal fascia surrounds the nervous system; the visceral fascia surrounds body cavities and organs.

      2018 November 8, Dr. Melina Jampolis, “The real science behind fascia ailments”, in CNN

      Investigators also noted a drop of blood on the headrest and backseat, which were consistent with superficial cuts.

      2026 July 18, Nicholas Muhoro, “Bryce Laspisa Vanished Near Castaic Lake After Spending 13 Hours Parked on a California Highway”, in Skip Boring, archived from the original on 19 Jul 2026

      Synonyms: surficial · Antonyms: deep

2. Appearing to be true or real only until examined more closely.

   Synonyms: external

3. Not thorough, deep, or complete; concerned only with the obvious or apparent.

   Secondly, I continue to base my concepts on intensive study of a limited suite of collections, rather than superficial study of every packet that comes to hand.

   1992, Rudolf M[athias] Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, Chicago, Ill.: Field Museum of Natural History, →ISBN, page vii

   Synonyms: cursory, facile, sketchy, glib, skin-deep, smattering, surface-level · Antonyms: in-depth, thorough

   1. Lacking depth of character or understanding; lacking substance or significance.

      These infamous little green men appeared during the decisive seizures or buildings and facilities, only to disappear when associated militias and local troops arrived to consolidate the gains. In this way they provided a measure of deniability—however superficial or implausible—for Moscow.⁴⁰

      2014, "Little Green Men": A Primer on Modern Russian Unconventional Warfare, Ukraine 2013–2014, Fort Bragg, North Carolina: The United States Army Special Operations Command, page 43

      Synonyms: cursory, facile, sketchy, glib, skin-deep, smattering, surface-level, shallow · Antonyms: in-depth, thorough, substantive

4. rareTwo-dimensional; drawn on a flat surface.
5. UKarchitectureDenoting a quantity of a material expressed in terms of area covered rather than linear dimension or volume.

   one superficial foot

   Synonyms: square

plural superficials

1. plural normallyA surface detail.

   He always concentrates on the superficials and fails to see the real issue.