shallow

[ˈʃæləʊ]

shallow Definition

• 1. having little depth; not deep
• 2. lacking depth of intellect, emotion, or knowledge
• 3. superficial or insincere

Using shallow: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "shallow" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The pond is quite shallow.

• Example

  She has a shallow understanding of the topic.

• Example

  He's a shallow person who only cares about appearances.

• Example

  The movie was criticized for its shallow plot.

shallow Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for shallow

• superficial
• trivial
• unimportant
• skin-deep
• surface-level

Antonyms for shallow

• deep
• profound
• intellectual

Idioms Using shallow

• still waters run deep

  people who are quiet or reserved may have hidden depths or strong emotions

  Example

  Although she seems shy, still waters run deep and she has a lot of interesting things to say.

• a shallow end of the pool

  a situation or task that is easy or simple compared to others

  Example

  Compared to the other projects, this one is the shallow end of the pool.

• a shallow pocket

  a lack of money or financial resources

  Example

  I can't afford that expensive restaurant, I have a shallow pocket right now.

Phrases with shallow

• shallow water

  water that is not deep enough to swim in or navigate

  Example

  The boat got stuck in the shallow water.

• shallow breathing

  breathing that is not deep or full, often due to anxiety or illness

  Example

  She was experiencing shallow breathing and had to take deep breaths to calm down.

• shallow grave

  a burial site that is not very deep, often used to dispose of a body illegally

  Example

  The police found the victim's body in a shallow grave in the woods.

Origins of shallow

from Old English 'sceald', meaning 'shoal'

📌

Summary: shallow in Brief

The term 'shallow' [ˈʃæləʊ] refers to something that has little depth, whether physical or intellectual. It can describe water, breathing, graves, or people. In the latter case, it often means lacking depth of emotion or knowledge, as in 'She has a shallow understanding of the topic.' 'Shallow' can also be used to describe insincere or superficial behavior, as in 'He's a shallow person who only cares about appearances.'