superficially
/ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃəli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌsuːpərˈfɪʃəli/ (ame, ipa)
superficially — adverb
1. with an impression of truth, value, or importance that disappears when you exami
with an impression of truth, value, or importance that disappears when you examine it more closely.
The deal looked superficially fair, but the small print favored the landlord.
superficially + adjective showing a false first impression
Superficially polite emails hid the team's growing anger after the budget cuts.
superficially + adjective masking a different reality
Ramón and Liam were superficially similar, but their goals were completely different.
The report sounded superficially convincing until the manager checked the sales figures.
- apparently
broader and more neutral; does not always imply that the appearance is false
- outwardly
focuses on what can be seen from the outside
- on the face of it
more conversational; stresses the first available evidence
- seemingly
close in meaning, but slightly less focused on surface impression
- genuinely
describes something that is truly what it appears to be
- truly
stresses real facts rather than appearance
- fundamentally
points to the deeper reality or basic nature
文法句型
superficially + adjective
superficially + past participle
用法筆記
Often used before adjectives such as fair, calm, similar, or convincing. It focuses on a first impression that later proves misleading, unlike sense 2, which describes a shallow process rather than a misleading appearance.
常見錯誤
2. with attention limited to the easiest points to notice, without checking details
with attention limited to the easiest points to notice, without checking details or understanding the subject fully.
Diya read the contract only superficially and missed the late-fee rule.
verb + superficially when checking something without enough care
The inspector examined the kitchen superficially before approving the restaurant.
superficially + examined for incomplete inspection
We discussed the history chapter superficially because the class was almost over.
Yumi listened superficially to the instructions and assembled the shelf backward.
- thoroughly
with careful attention to all parts and details
- carefully
broader; focuses on avoiding mistakes as well as checking details
- in depth
shows that the person went beyond obvious points
文法句型
verb + superficially
superficially + examined / reviewed
用法筆記
Common with verbs such as read, examine, discuss, review, and listen. Unlike sense 1, it does not mean that something only seems true; it means the person deals with it in a shallow or incomplete way.
常見錯誤
3. so that only the outside layer of a body, object, or material is affected, not t
so that only the outside layer of a body, object, or material is affected, not the deeper part underneath.
The burn was treated superficially at first, so deeper tissue damage was missed.
physical treatment limited to the outer layer
The paint had peeled superficially, so the wood underneath was still dry.
superficially describing damage that stays near the surface
Luca scratched the table superficially while moving the heavy speaker.
The knife cut Talia's finger superficially, and the bleeding stopped quickly.
- on the surface
close in meaning, though often used as a prepositional phrase rather than an adverb
- externally
more formal; often contrasts with internal effect
- skin-deep
usually an adjective phrase, but it similarly stresses shallow physical depth
- deeply
affecting far below the surface
- internally
affecting the inside rather than the outside
- throughout
shows that the effect reaches all layers or all parts
文法句型
verb + superficially
superficially + cut / burned / damaged
用法筆記
This sense is literal and physical, often used with wounds, burns, scratches, or damage to materials. Unlike senses 1 and 2, it does not describe ideas or impressions; it describes limited effect on an outer layer.