il superficiale

Definition & meaning

Superficiale means superficial or shallow. It can describe:

• Something on or near the surface, such as a minor wound.
• A person, judgment, or treatment of a subject that lacks depth or attention.
• Something apparent or outward rather than fundamental.

Grammar & Word origin

It is an adjective with the same singular form for masculine and feminine nouns. Its plural is superficiali.

It comes from Latin superficialis, derived from superficies, meaning “surface.”

Synonyms & antonyms

• superficiale ↗ in the sense of “lacking depth” is similar to:
  • sommario ↗ — brief or cursory, especially in an account or examination.
  • banale ↗ — trivial or commonplace, rather than necessarily lacking thoroughness.
• profondo ↗ — “deep”; an antonym in both the physical and figurative senses.
• approfondito ↗ — “thorough” or “in-depth,” especially of research or analysis.

Common phrases & collocations

• ferita superficiale ↗ — a superficial wound.
• conoscenza superficiale ↗ — a superficial knowledge of something.
• persona superficiale ↗ — a shallow person.
• esame superficiale ↗ — a cursory examination.