superficial

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Not deep or thorough; dealing only with the obvious.

   The report gave only a superficial analysis of the problem.

2. 2
   adj

   Of little real importance or substance.

   They made a few superficial changes but ignored the real issues.

3. 3
   adj

   On or near the surface.

   The injury was superficial and healed within days.

Borrowing from Late Latin superficiālis (“of or belonging to the surface”), from superficiēs (“top, surface”) + -ālis (“-al”, adjectival suffix).

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