superficial
gb/sˌupɚfˈɪʃəl/ us/sˌupɚfˈɪʃəl/
B2
English
~ 7200
felszínes, sekélyes, felületes, felületi
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is superficial
He comes across as charming, but his views on relationships are painfully superficial.
Elsőre megnyerőnek tűnik, de a párkapcsolatokról alkotott nézetei fájdalmasan felszínesek.
Their connection was mostly superficial, based on parties and photos rather than real conversation.
A kapcsolatuk többnyire felszínes volt: inkább bulikra és fotókra épült, mint valódi beszélgetésekre.
The interview felt superficial, with no meaningful questions about her ideas or experience.
She worries that people will think she is superficial because she talks so much about fashion.
The movie offers only a superficial look at grief and never explores the characters’ inner lives.
Learner examples
Many people think he is a superficial man.
Sokan felszínes embernek tartják.
Their friendship is very superficial and not deep.
A barátságuk nagyon felszínes, nem igazán mély.
I do not want a superficial relationship.
Her interest in politics is superficial; she only reads headlines.
He seems nice, but his questions are very superficial.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "superficial" with "artificial." "Superficial" means shallow or not deep, especially about people or feelings. "Artificial" means not natural or made by people (for example, artificial flowers, artificial light). Learners also sometimes use "superficial" when they only mean "small" or "minor"; it specifically adds the idea of being only on the surface or not truly serious.
Meaning
shallow in character or feelings
Collocations
a superficial person
|a superficial friendship
|superficial charm
|superficial beauty
|superficial interest
|seem superficial
Synonyms
shallow (Very common for people and feelings; can sound slightly more negative and judgmental.)
|
surface-level (Informal and descriptive; stresses that someone only looks at what is easy to see.)
Antonyms
deep (Describes a person or feeling that is serious and thoughtful, not focused only on appearances.)
|
profound (Stronger and more formal; suggests very serious, thoughtful, or intense feelings or ideas.)
Themes
character
|relationships
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not deep in character or feelings; caring only about looks or simple, easy things.
Showing little real thought, seriousness, or feeling; concerned only with appearances or the most obvious things.
C1
2
Usage pattern:
a superficial [study/examination/analysis] of [something]
The report offers only a superficial analysis of the problem and ignores its deeper causes.
A jelentés csak felületes elemzést ad a problémáról, és figyelmen kívül hagyja annak mélyebb okait.
At first glance there seems to be a conflict, but a closer look shows that the differences are only superficial.
Első pillantásra úgy tűnik, hogy ellentmondás van, de közelebbről megvizsgálva kiderül, hogy csupán felszínes eltérésekről van szó.
Her knowledge of the topic was quite superficial, based on a few online articles.
The inspector carried out a superficial check of the equipment and missed several serious faults.
Despite their superficial similarities, the two proposals are based on very different assumptions.
Learner examples
He has only a superficial understanding of economics.
Csak felületes ismeretei vannak a közgazdaságtanról.
Their study was very superficial and did not answer important questions.
A vizsgálatuk nagyon felületes volt, és nem adott választ a fontos kérdésekre.
The article gives a superficial view of climate change.
Our training was superficial, so we still had many questions.
The changes in the law are mostly superficial and do not fix the real problem.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "superficial" when they just mean "short" or "simple." A short explanation can still be deep and clear. "Superficial" specifically means that only easy, surface parts are covered and important deeper parts are missed.
Meaning
not careful, thorough, or detailed
Collocations
superficial understanding
|superficial knowledge
|superficial analysis
|superficial examination
|superficial similarity
|superficial changes
Synonyms
cursory (More formal; suggests something was done quickly and with little attention to detail.)
|
shallow (Common and slightly less formal; often used for thinking or understanding that is not deep.)
Antonyms
thorough (Stresses that something is careful, complete, and detailed, the opposite of being superficial.)
|
in-depth (Often used before nouns (in-depth study, in-depth report); highlights very detailed treatment.)
Themes
thinking
|education
|work
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Looking only at the easy or clear parts of something and not studying it carefully or deeply.
Done, understood, or dealing only with the most obvious parts of something, and therefore not complete or thorough.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
a superficial [wound/crack/damage]
The cut on his arm looked serious, but the doctor said it was only superficial.
A karján lévő vágás súlyosnak tűnt, de az orvos szerint csak felületes seb volt.
The building suffered only superficial damage in the storm.
A vihar csak felületi károkat okozott az épületben.
These scratches are superficial and can easily be polished out.
The burn is superficial and affects only the outer layer of skin.
Although the crack appears long, it is fairly superficial and does not affect the structure.
Learner examples
The dog bit him, but the wound was superficial.
Megharapta a kutya, de a seb csak felületes volt.
The car has some superficial damage to the paint.
Az autó fényezésén van néhány felületi sérülés.
Her injuries are mostly superficial cuts and bruises.
The knife made only a superficial cut on his hand.
The storm caused superficial damage to the roof.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "superficial wound" means a fake or not real wound. It actually means a real wound that is not deep or serious because it is only on the surface.
Meaning
only on the surface (physical)
Collocations
a superficial wound
|superficial damage
|a superficial cut
|a superficial layer
|superficial burn
|relatively superficial
Synonyms
shallow (Used for physical things like cuts or holes that do not go deep.)
|
surface (Usually used before nouns (surface damage, surface crack); clearly indicates only the outside is affected.)
Antonyms
deep (Describes damage or injuries that go far below the surface.)
|
penetrating (More technical; used for injuries or forces that go deep inside something.)
Themes
health
|science
|physical_world
|body
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Only on the top part of something and not deep inside, often about a cut, wound, or mark.
Existing or happening at or near the surface of something and not going deep inside, especially of injuries or physical features.
Grammar
Dictionary form
superficial
IPA
GB/sˌupɚfˈɪʃəl/
US/sˌupɚfˈɪʃəl/
Syllables & stress
su - per - fi - cial (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (per)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: superficial
Word family
Core family
superficially
adverb B2
Related words
surface
noun A2
superficiality
noun
Expressions
on a superficial level
1/ˈɔn ə sˌupɚfˈɪʃəl lˈɛvəl/
fixed phrase
if you look only at the surface
If you look only at the easy, obvious parts of something and not at the deeper or more important parts.
Examples
- On a superficial level the two plans look the same, but they would lead to very different results.
- The movie seems simple on a superficial level, but it raises serious questions about power and control.
- On a superficial level their lives appear perfect, yet they both feel very lonely.