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Glite Dictionary
skin-deep

skin-deep

5 4.7
Only on the surface and not deep inside
  • adjective
  • /skɪn-diːp/
: superficial
  • Well, of course you do darling but remember, beauty is only skin deep.
  • only skin-deep

Examples

  • If you think beauty is only skin deep, think again.

  • Well, beauty's only skin deep.

    Dinner for Schmucks (2010)

  • My smile is just skin deep.

    Batman (1989)

  • "Beauty is only skin deep," I said.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Forgive me, her beauty was only skin deep.

    Blog text (16)

  • Is it more beneficial to look good, or is beauty really just skin deep?

    Blog text (14)

  • Differences between people that may seem profound are revealed to be only skin deep.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Beauty's only skin deep, isn't that right, Phleg?

    Bloodsuckers (2005)

  • But many believe that Glen's rhetoric of tolerance is only skin-deep.

    Academic text (2009)

  • My mother always told me that beauty is only skin-deep and that kindness is more important.

Synonyms

superficial
vsskin-deep
20 5.3

Near the surface and not deep, like a small cut

is a general label for being only on the surface rather than deep

Antonyms

deep
∞ 1.0

Far down from the surface or top

profound
123 6.3

Showing deep thought, strong feeling, or great understanding

How Superficial

cosmetic
95 4.4
skin-deep
5 4.7
shallow
155 1.6
surface
3.4

Surface Forms

skin-deep positive

Morphology

skin-deep = skin + deep (transparent) = skin + deep

A direct compound of 'skin' + 'deep'; learners who know both words can infer the conventional meaning 'superficial'.

Etymology

The word skin-deep is made from skin and deep, literally meaning 'only on the surface' rather than far inside. So, if something is skin-deep, it is only a surface quality and not truly deep or strong.