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Substantive vs. Superficial — What's the Difference?

Substantive vs. Superficial — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Substantive and Superficial

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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.
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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

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