adj. 1. Of, affecting, or being on or near the surface: a superficial wound. 2. Concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; shallow: wrote him off as superficial. 3. Apparent rather than actual or substantial: a superficial resemblance between the two films. 4. Not extensive or important; minor or insignificant: made only a few superficial changes in the manuscript. [Middle English, from Old French superficiel, from Latin superficiālis, from superficiēs, surface; see SUPERFICIES.] su′per·fi′ci·ali·ty (-fĭsh′ē-ălĭ-tē), su′per·ficial·ness (-fĭshəl-nĭs) n. su′per·ficial·ly adv. |
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