superficial

adjective

1. 1

   Existing, occurring, or located on the surface.

2. 2

   Existing, occurring, or located on the surface. Close to the surface of the body; especially, situated or occurring on the skin or immediately beneath it.

   superficial muscles

   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.

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

3. 3

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

4. 4

   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.

5. 5

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

6. 6

   rareTwo-dimensional; drawn on a flat surface.

7. 7

   Denoting a quantity of a material expressed in terms of area covered rather than linear dimension or volume.

   one superficial foot

noun

1. 1

   A surface detail.

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

Forms

plural

superficials

comparative

more superficial

superlative

most superficial