superficially
gb/sˈupɚfˌɪʃəli/ us/sˈupɚfˌɪʃəli/
B2
English
felületesen, látszólag
B2
1
felületesen
B2
Usage pattern:
[do/consider/examine/read] [something] superficially
He read the contract superficially and missed an important clause.
Felületesen olvasta át a szerződést, és nem vett észre egy fontos kikötést.
The topic is complex and can’t be handled superficially in a ten-minute talk.
A téma összetett, és nem lehet tízperces előadásban felületesen tárgyalni.
I only understood the argument superficially until I saw the data.
Learner examples
I looked at the report superficially.
Felületesen átnéztem a jelentést.
Don’t judge the problem superficially.
Ne ítéld meg a problémát felületesen.
Common mistake:
Learners may use the adjective instead: say “I looked at it superficially,” not “I looked at it superficial.”
Meaning
in a shallow, cursory way
Collocations
look superficially
|read superficially
|skim superficially
|examine superficially
|understand superficially
|deal with something superficially
|treat something superficially
|address something superficially
|analyze superficially
|judge superficially
Synonyms
cursorily (More formal; emphasizes doing something quickly and without care.)
|
lightly (Suggests not giving something much attention or importance.)
Antonyms
thoroughly (In a complete and careful way.)
|
deeply (With serious attention and understanding.)
Themes
thinking
|education
|work
Definition
without thinking or looking carefully
In a way that does not go into detail or deal with the important parts; not thoroughly or seriously.
C1
2
látszólag
B1
Usage pattern:
[things/people] are superficially [adjective] / superficially [similar/different]
The two plans are superficially similar, but their costs are very different.
A két terv látszólag hasonló, de a költségeik nagyon eltérnek.
She seemed superficially confident, yet she was nervous inside.
Látszólag magabiztosnak tűnt, de belül ideges volt.
The argument is superficially convincing until you check the sources.
Learner examples
The rooms look superficially the same.
A szobák látszólag egyformának tűnnek.
He is superficially polite.
Látszólag udvarias.
Common mistake:
Don’t use it to mean “a little bit” (that’s “slightly”): “superficially different” means the difference is only on the surface.
Meaning
only in appearance
Collocations
superficially similar
|superficially different
|superficially attractive
|superficially convincing
|superficially calm
|superficially polite
|superficially friendly
|superficially simple
|superficially plausible
|superficially secure
Synonyms
apparently (Emphasizes how something seems, often with uncertainty.)
|
on the surface (A common phrase meaning ‘in appearance only’.)
Antonyms
fundamentally (At the most basic level; in an essential way.)
|
essentially (In the real or most important way.)
Themes
communication
|social
|comparison
Definition
in a way that is true only on the outside
In a way that is based only on surface appearance, not on the real or deeper nature of something.
C1
TECHNICAL
3
felületesen
C1
Usage pattern:
[something] lies/is located superficially (to) [something]
The cut was superficial; it only affected tissue superficially.
A vágás felszíni volt; a szöveteket csak felületesen érintette.
Several veins run superficially just under the skin.
Több véna felületesen, közvetlenül a bőr alatt fut.
The lump is located superficially and is easy to examine.
Learner examples
The scratch is only superficially on the skin.
A karcolás csak felületesen érinti a bőrt.
Common mistake:
This is about physical location (often medical/anatomy), not about ‘not serious’.
Meaning
on or near the surface
Collocations
located superficially
|lie superficially
|situated superficially
|superficially placed
|superficially positioned
|run superficially
|superficially to a muscle
|superficially to a nerve
|superficially in the skin
|superficially beneath the surface
Synonyms
externally (More general; means ‘on the outside’ rather than ‘near the surface’.)
Antonyms
deeply (Far below the surface or well inside.)
Themes
health
|science
Definition
near the outside surface
In a position close to the outer surface of something, rather than deep inside it.
Grammar
Dictionary form
superficially
IPA
GB/sˈupɚfˌɪʃəli/
US/sˈupɚfˌɪʃəli/
Syllables & stress
su - per - fi - cially (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (su)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: superficially
- Plural: superficiallies
Expressions
superficially speaking
1/sˈupɚfˌɪʃəli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
judging only by appearances
if we only look at the surface facts
Examples
- Superficially speaking, the deal looks fair, but the details matter.
- Superficially speaking, their ideas match, yet their goals are different.
Learner examples
- Superficially speaking, it seems easy.
superficially, at least
1/sˈupɚfˌɪʃəli | ˈæt lˈist/
fixed phrase
true only on the surface
from the outside, anyway
Examples
- They’re cooperating now—superficially, at least.
- The system is stable, superficially at least, but errors keep appearing.
Learner examples
- The plan works, superficially at least.