Substantive vs. Superficial — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Substantive and Superficial
ADVERTISEMENT
Compare with Definitions
Substantive
Substantial; considerable.
Superficial
Reaching or comprehending only what is obvious or apparent; not deep or profound; shallow; - said especially in respect to study, learning, and the like; as, a superficial scholar; superficial knowledge.
This superficial taleIs but a preface of her worthy praise.
He is a presumptuous and superficial writer.
That superficial judgment, which happens to be right without deserving to be so.
Substantive
Independent in existence or function; not subordinate.
Superficial
Existing or occurring at or on the surface
The building suffered only superficial damage
Substantive
Not imaginary; actual; real.
ADVERTISEMENT
Superficial
Appearing to be true or real only until examined more closely
The resemblance between the breeds is superficial
Substantive
Of or relating to the essence or substance; essential
Substantive information.
Superficial
Not thorough, deep, or complete; cursory
He had only the most superficial knowledge of foreign countries
Substantive
Having a solid basis; firm.
Superficial
Denoting a quantity of a material expressed in terms of area covered rather than linear dimension or volume.
Substantive
(Grammar) Expressing or designating existence; for example, the verb to be.
Superficial
Of, affecting, or being on or near the surface
A superficial wound.
Substantive
(Grammar) Designating a noun or noun equivalent.
Superficial
Concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; shallow
Wrote him off as superficial.
Substantive
A word or group of words functioning as a noun.
Superficial
Apparent rather than actual or substantial
A superficial resemblance between the two films.
Substantive
Of the essence or essential element of a thing.
Substantive information
Superficial
Not extensive or important; minor or insignificant
Made only a few superficial changes in the manuscript.
Substantive
(by extension) Constituting the substance of content rather than its style, and thus always nontrivial.
Substantive editing is never trivial, whereas some aspects of copyediting are trivial.
Substantive changes made by the lawyers
Superficial
(relational) Existing, occurring, or located on the surface.
Substantive
Having substance; enduring; solid; firm; substantial.
Superficial
Situated or occurring on the skin or immediately beneath it.
Superficial muscles
Substantive
(law) applying to essential legal principles and rules of right.
Substantive law
Superficial
Appearing to be true or real only until examined more closely.
Substantive
(chemistry) of a dye that does not need the use of a mordant to be made fast to that which is being dyed
Superficial
Not thorough, deep, or complete; concerned only with the obvious or apparent.
Substantive
Depending on itself; independent.
Superficial
Lacking depth of character or understanding; lacking substance or significance.
Substantive
(grammar) Of or pertaining to a substantive.
Superficial
(rare) Two-dimensional; drawn on a flat surface.
Substantive
Actually and legally held, as distinct from an acting, temporary or honorary rank or appointment
Superficial
A surface detail.
He always concentrates on the superficials and fails to see the real issue.
Substantive
Senseid|en|noun}} (grammar) {{clipping of noun substantive
Superficial
Of or pertaining to the superficies, or surface; lying on the surface; shallow; not deep; as, a superficial color; a superficial covering; superficial measure or contents; superficial tillage.
Substantive
Part of a text that carries the meaning, such as words and their ordering.
Superficial
Being or affecting or concerned with a surface; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually;
Superficial similarities
A superficial mind
His thinking was superficial and fuzzy
Superficial knowledge
The superficial report didn't give the true picture
Only superficial differences
Substantive
To make a word belonging to another part of speech into a substantive (that is, a noun) or use it as a noun
Superficial
Relating to a surface;
Superficial measurements
The superficial area of the wall
Substantive
Betokening or expressing existence; as, the substantive verb, that is, the verb to be.
Superficial
Of little substance or significance;
A few superficial editorial changes
Only trivial objections
Substantive
Depending on itself; independent.
He considered how sufficient and substantive this land was to maintain itself without any aid of the foreigner.
Superficial
Involving a surface only;
Her beauty is only skin-deep
Superficial bruising
A surface wound
Substantive
Enduring; solid; firm; substantial.
Strength and magnitude are qualities which impress the imagination in a powerful and substantive manner.
Substantive
Pertaining to, or constituting, the essential part or principles; as, the law substantive.
Substantive
A noun or name; the part of speech which designates something that exists, or some object of thought, either material or immaterial; as, the words man, horse, city, goodness, excellence, are substantives.
Substantive
To substantivize.
Substantive
A noun or a pronoun that is used in place of a noun
Substantive
Being the essence or essential element of a thing;
Substantial equivalents
Substantive information
Substantive
Applying to essential legal principles and rules of right;
Substantive law
Substantive
Having substance and prompting thought;
A meaty discussion
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Bronze vs. GunmetalNext Comparison
Sufficient vs. Suffice