shallow Meaning & Definition
What Does Shallow Mean?
As an adjective, shallow means Having little depth; significantly less deep than wide. It is also used to mean Extending not far downward. As a noun, it means A shallow portion of an otherwise deep body of water. As a verb, it means To make or become less deep.
Shallow: Key Facts
| Part of speech | adjective, noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈʃæləʊ/ |
| Synonyms | light, superficial and shoal |
| Antonyms | deep |
| Plural | shallows |
| Comparative / superlative | shallower, shallowest |
| Verb forms | shallows, shallowing, shallowed |
Shallow Definition (Adjective)
- Having little depth; significantly less deep than wide.
This crater is relatively shallow.
- Extending not far downward.
The water is shallow here.
- Concerned mainly with superficial matters.
It was a glamorous but shallow lifestyle.
- Lacking interest or substance; flat; one-dimensional.
The acting is good, but the characters are shallow.
- Not intellectually deep; not penetrating deeply; simple; not wise or knowing.
shallow learning
- Not deep in tone.
- Not far forward, close to the net.
- Not steep; close to horizontal.
a shallow climb
Shallow as a Noun
- A shallow portion of an otherwise deep body of water.
The ship ran aground in an unexpected shallow.
- A fish, the rudd.
- A costermonger's barrow.
- A shallow hotel pan.
Shallow as a Verb
- To make or become less deep.
Adjective
- Lacking interest or substance.
The acting is good, but the characters are shallow.
Synonyms of Shallow
Shallow synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Shallow
Shallow in a Sentence
This crater is relatively shallow.
Sauté the onions in a shallow pan.
The water is shallow here.
It was a glamorous but shallow lifestyle.
The acting is good, but the characters are shallow.
shallow learning
a shallow climb
a shallow descent
a shallow bank angle
The ship ran aground in an unexpected shallow.
Saute the onions in a shallow pan.
Word Forms & Grammar
shallow (comparative shallower or more shallow, superlative shallowest or most shallow)
shallow (plural shallows)
shallow (third-person singular simple present shallows, present participle shallowing, simple past and past participle shallowed)
Words That Rhyme With Shallow
Origin of Shallow
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”).[1] Related to Low German Scholl (“shallow water”). See also shoal.
Shallow: Your Questions Answered
Is shallow an adjective or a noun?
Shallow is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun and a verb.
What is another word for shallow?
You can replace shallow with words such as light, superficial and shoal. See the full list of shallow synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of shallow?
The opposite of shallow is deep.
What is the plural of shallow?
The plural of shallow is shallows.
What is the past tense of shallow?
The past tense of shallow is shallowed. The present participle is shallowing.