Shallow - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

Maybe your like

SKIP TO CONTENT shallow /ˈʃæloʊ/ /ˈʃæləʊ/ IPA guide

Other forms: shallows; shallower; shallowest; shallowing; shallowed

The adjective shallow can describe things that aren't very deep, like a shallow puddle, or people who don't have much emotional or intellectual depth, like shallow people who judge others on their looks and how much money they have.

Shallow likely comes from the Old English word sceald, which means "shoal," the water near a shoreline. So, shallow describes something that is close to the surface — like the shallow roots of a newly-planted tree or a person whose interest in someone or something isn't very deep. For instance, a shallow person might go to the opening of a new art exhibition not so much to see the artworks as meet the wealthy people on the museum's board of trustees.

Definitions of shallow

adjective lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center “shallow water” “a shallow dish” “a shallow cut” “a shallow closet” “established a shallow beachhead” “hit the ball to shallow left field” synonyms: ankle-deep, knee-deep coming only to the ankle or knee fordable shallow enough to be crossed by walking or riding on an animal or in a vehicle neritic relating to the region of shallow water adjoining the seacoast reefy, shelfy, shelvy, shoaly full of submerged reefs or sandbanks or shoals see moresee less antonyms: deep having great spatial extension or penetration downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or laterally or outward from a center; sometimes used in combination abysmal, abyssal, unfathomable resembling an abyss in depth; so deep as to be unmeasurable bottomless extremely deep deep-water of or carried on in waters of great depth profound, unfathomed, unplumbed, unsounded situated at or extending to great depth; too deep to have been sounded or plumbed walk-in (of e.g. closets or refrigerators) extending very far enough back to allow a person to enter unfathomable of depth; not capable of being sounded or measured show more antonyms...
adjective lacking depth of intellect or knowledge; concerned only with what is obvious “shallow people” “his arguments seemed shallow and tedious” synonyms: superficial concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually
adjective not deep or strong; not affecting one deeply “shallow breathing” “a night of shallow fretful sleep” “in a shallow trance” synonyms: light, wakeful (of sleep) easily disturbed see moresee less antonyms: deep relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply heavy, profound, sound, wakeless (of sleep) deep and complete profound coming from deep within one show more antonyms...
noun a stretch of shallow water synonyms: shoal see moresee less type of: body of water, water the part of the earth's surface covered with water (such as a river or lake or ocean)
verb make shallow “The silt shallowed the canal” synonyms: shoal see moresee less type of: alter, change, modify cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
verb become shallow “the lake shallowed over time” synonyms: shoal see moresee less type of: change undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature

Pronunciation US /ˈʃæloʊ/ UK /ˈʃæləʊ/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

MLA
APA
Chicago

Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘shallow'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing shallow

Face It: Selfie Vocab

Let's face it. Long before smart phones and social media, people have been preoccupied with the way they look. Here are some words that go way back, but are just as useful in today's selfie-obsessed world.

Words from Shakespearean Insults

If you ever want to dish it out like the bard, add these words to your vocabulary. Insults collected by Shakespeare-Online.

Workshop 2, Part 1 MORE VOCABULARY LISTS 2 million people are mastering new words. Master a word

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.

Get started Learn with us

Learner subscriptions
Vocabulary lists
Dictionary
Test Prep
Join a Vocabulary Jam
Commonly confused words
Word of the day

Teach with us

For educators
For schools and districts
How it works
Success stories
Research
Professional development
Contact sales

Resources

Help articles/FAQ
Teaching resources
Learner resources
ESL/ELL resources
Grade level resources
IPA Pronunciation
Contact support

Leaderboards

Vocabulary Bowl
Today's leaders
Weekly leaders
Monthly leaders

About

Our Mission
Blog
Tell us what you think
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use

My Account Log in Sign up

Log Out
My Learning
My Proficiency Report
My Profile
Schools & Teachers
My Classes
Assignments & Activities
My Lists
- Find a List to Learn...
- Create a New List...
My Progress
- Words I'm Learning
- My Trouble Words
- Words I've Mastered
- My Achievements
User Administration
User Authentication
My Account