Meaning 1neutral · 82%
Dealing only with the surface, without examining details or deeper causes.
Natural examples
Die oberflächliche Kontrolle übersah den Riss.
The superficial inspection missed the crack.
Seine Antwort war oberflächlich und half uns nicht weiter.
His answer was superficial and did not help us.
Wir sollten das Problem gründlicher statt oberflächlicher untersuchen.
We should examine the problem more deeply, not superficially.
Usage note
Oberflächlich can modify a noun or be predicative: a superficial check; the analysis is superficial. It is gradable.
Mini-lesson: oberflächlich
Dealing only with the surface, without examining details or deeper causes. Oberflächlich can modify a noun or be predicative: a superficial check; the analysis is superficial. It is gradable.
Check your learning
Choose one answer.Which definition matches «oberflächlich»?