Surface vs. Superficial — What's the Difference?

A surface, as the term is most generally used, is the outermost or uppermost layer of a physical object or space. It is the portion or region of the object that can first be perceived by an observer using the senses of sight and touch, and is the portion with which other materials first interact.

Existing or occurring at or on the surface

The outside part or uppermost layer of something

Appearing to be true or real only until examined more closely

A continuous set of points that has length and breadth but no thickness.

Not thorough, deep, or complete; cursory

Relating to or found on the surface of something

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

Rise or come up to the surface of the water or the ground

Of, affecting, or being on or near the surface

Provide (something, especially a road) with a particular surface

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

The outer or the topmost boundary of an object.

Apparent rather than actual or substantial

A material layer constituting such a boundary.

Not extensive or important; minor or insignificant

The boundary of a three-dimensional figure.

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

The two-dimensional locus of points located in three-dimensional space.

Situated or occurring on the skin or immediately beneath it.

A portion of space having length and breadth but no thickness.

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

The superficial or external aspect

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

An airfoil.

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

Relating to, on, or at a surface

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

Relating to or occurring on or near the surface of the earth.

A surface detail.

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.

Apparent as opposed to real.

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.

To provide with a surface or apply a surface to

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

To bring to the surface

Relating to a surface;

To make known; expose or reveal

Of little substance or significance;

To rise to the surface.

Involving a surface only;

To emerge after concealment.

To work or dig a mine at or near the surface of the ground.

The overside or up-side of a flat object such as a table, or of a liquid.

The outside hull of a tangible object.

(figurative) Outward or external appearance.

The locus of an equation (especially one with exactly two degrees of freedom) in a more-than-two-dimensional space. Category:en:Surfaces

(transitive) To provide something with a surface.

(transitive) To apply a surface to something.

(intransitive) To rise to the surface.

(transitive) To bring to the surface.

To come out of hiding.

To become known or apparent; to appear or be found.

(transitive) To make (information or facts) known.

(intransitive) To work a mine near the surface.

The exterior part of anything that has length and breadth; one of the limits that bound a solid, esp. the upper face; superficies; the outside; as, the surface of the earth; the surface of a diamond; the surface of the body.

Hence, outward or external appearance.

A magnitude that has length and breadth without thickness; superficies; as, a plane surface; a spherical surface.

That part of the side which is terminated by the flank prolonged, and the angle of the nearest bastion.

To give a surface to; especially, to cause to have a smooth or plain surface; to make smooth or plain.

To work over the surface or soil of, as ground, in hunting for gold.

To rise from the depths of a liquid to the surface; as, the submarine surfaced to recharge its batteries.

To become known or public; - said of information.

To show up, as a person who was in hiding; as, he absconded with the payroll and surfaced in Argentina.

The outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary;

The extended two-dimensional outer boundary of a three-dimensional object;

The outermost level of the land or sea;

A superficial aspect as opposed to the real nature of something;

Information that has become public;

A device that provides reactive force when in motion relative to the surrounding air; can lift or control a plane in flight

Come to the surface

Put a coat on; cover the surface of; furnish with a surface;

Appear or become visible; make a showing;

On the surface;

Involving a surface only;