shallow

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   become shallow

   the lake shallowed over time

2. 2
   verb

   make shallow

   The silt shallowed the canal

3. 3
   adj

   Having little depth; significantly less deep than wide.

   This crater is relatively shallow.

4. 4
   adj

   Extending not far downward.

   The water is shallow here.

5. 5
   adj

   Concerned mainly with superficial matters.

   It was a glamorous but shallow lifestyle.

6. 6
   adj

   Lacking interest or substance; flat; one-dimensional.

   The acting is good, but the characters are shallow.

7. 7
   adj

   Not intellectually deep; not penetrating deeply; simple; not wise or knowing.

   shallow learning

8. 8
   adj

   Not deep in tone.

   the sound perfecter and not so shallow and jarring

Etymology

From Middle English schalowe (“not deep, shallow”); apparently related to Middle English schalde, schold, scheld, schealde (“shallow”), from Old English sċeald (“shallow”), from Proto-Germanic *skal-, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kelh₁- (“to parch, dry out”). Related to Low German Scholl (“shallow water”). See also shoal.