What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Pretentious vs Superficial - What's the difference?

pretentious | superficial |

As adjectives the difference between pretentious and superficial

is that pretentious is marked by an unwarranted claim to importance or distinction while superficial is shallow, lacking substance.

As a noun superficial is

(chiefly in plural) a surface detail.

pretentious

English

Alternative forms

*

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Marked by an unwarranted claim to importance or distinction.
    • Their song titles are pretentious in the context of their basic lyrics.
  • Ostentatious; intended to impress others.
    • Her dress was obviously more pretentious than comfortable.

    Synonyms

    * poseur * See also

    Antonyms

    * unpretentious

    Derived terms

    * pretentiously * pretentiousness

    Related terms

    * pretend * pretender * pretense * pretension

    References

    * * *

    superficial

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Shallow, lacking substance.
  • At face value.
  • *
    • Secondly, I continue to base my concepts on intensive study of a limited suite of collections, rather than superficial study of every packet that comes to hand.
  • Of or pertaining to the surface.
  • Being near the surface.
  • (rare) Two-dimensional; drawn on a flat surface.

    • Synonyms

    * (of or pertaining to the surface) surficial

    Antonyms

    * in-depth * thorough * (lacking substance) substantive

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (chiefly in plural) A surface detail.
    • He always concentrates on the superficials and fails to see the real issue.

    Related terms

    * superfice (archaic) ----