Superficial vs. Vain — What's the Difference?

Existing or occurring at or on the surface

Having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth

Appearing to be true or real only until examined more closely

Producing no result; useless

Not thorough, deep, or complete; cursory

Not yielding the desired outcome; fruitless

Denoting a quantity of a material expressed in terms of area covered rather than linear dimension or volume.

Lacking substance or worth

Of, affecting, or being on or near the surface

Having or showing excessive pride in one's appearance or accomplishments; conceited.

Concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; shallow

(Archaic) Foolish.

Apparent rather than actual or substantial

Overly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason.

Not extensive or important; minor or insignificant

Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.

(relational) Existing, occurring, or located on the surface.

Effecting no purpose; pointless, futile.

Situated or occurring on the skin or immediately beneath it.

Showy; ostentatious.

Appearing to be true or real only until examined more closely.

Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.

Not thorough, deep, or complete; concerned only with the obvious or apparent.

Destitute of force or efficacy; effecting no purpose; fruitless; ineffectual; as, vain toil; a vain attempt.

​Lacking depth of character or understanding; lacking substance or significance.

Proud of petty things, or of trifling attainments; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason; conceited; puffed up; inflated.

(rare) Two-dimensional; drawn on a flat surface.

Showy; ostentatious.

A surface detail.

Vanity; emptiness; - now used only in the phrase in vain.

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.

Characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance;

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.

Unproductive of success;

Being or affecting or concerned with a surface; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually;

Relating to a surface;

Of little substance or significance;

Involving a surface only;