being at, on, or near the surface

a superficial wound.

of or pertaining to the surface

superficial measurement.

external or outward

a superficial resemblance.

concerned with or comprehending only what is on the surface or obvious

a superficial observer.

shallow; not profound or thorough

a superficial writer.

apparent rather than real.

insubstantial or insignificant

superficial improvements.

adjective

analytical , careful , deep , detailed , genuine , thorough

adjective

apparent , casual , cosmetic , cursory , depthless , desultory , empty , evident , exterior , external , flash , flimsy , frivolous , general , glib , half-baked * , hasty , hurried , ignorant , inattentive , lightweight , nodding , one-dimensional , on the surface , ostensible , outward , partial , passing , perfunctory , peripheral , quick-fix , seeming , shallow , shoal , silly , sketchy , skin-deep * , slapdash * , slight , smattery , summary , surface , tip of the iceberg , trivial , uncritical , warpednotes:superficial means not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually or of little substance or significance , while superfluous means more than is wanted or is sufficient or rendered unnecessary by superabundance , skin-deep , ostensive , fake , hollow , incondite , insignificant , meretricious , pro forma , sciolistic , sophomoric , specious , tenuous , token , trite