ˈkaʒuəl ˈkæʒuəl ˈkɛʒʉɘl ˈkɜː.sə.ɹi ˈkɝː.sə.ɹi ˈkɵː.sɘ.ɹi ˈpɑːsɪŋ pəˈfʌŋk.t(ə)ɹɪ pɚˈfʌŋk.tɚ.i ˌsuː.pəˈfɪʃ.əl ˌsu.pɚˈfɪʃ.əl ˈtɹɪ.vi.əl hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough a casual (or cursory) inspection failed to reveal the house's structural flaws a passing glance perfunctory courtesy In his paper, he showed a very superficial understanding of psychoanalytic theory occurring on or near the surface of the skin superficial burns superficial facial injuries concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; 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 of little substance or significance a few superficial editorial changes only trivial objections of, affecting, or being on or near the surface superficial measurements the superficial area of the wall a superficial wound