What does shallow mean?
Shallow describes something that lacks depth, either literally or figuratively. A shallow pool has only a little water above its bottom, while a shallow person may be quick to judge others and unwilling or unable to consider complex issues. As an adjective, the word is extremely common: “shallow water,” “shallow breathing,” and “shallow conversation” all sound natural, though “shallow” can sound blunt or dismissive when applied to a person. The same form can also function as an adverb, as in “swim shallow,” and as a noun, usually in the plural “shallows,” meaning an area of shallow water. The verb is comparatively rare, meaning to become or make something less deep. Shallow is especially useful because it carries a stronger figurative suggestion than merely being brief or superficial: it evokes a limited surface that fails to reach what lies beneath. This makes it apt for descriptions of water, breathing, speech, knowledge, attention, and relationships, while also allowing criticism without requiring a longer explanation.
Having little physical depth; lacking intellectual depth, insight, emotional engagement, or thoroughness.
"The rescue team guided the exhausted swimmer through the shallow water."
The most common part of speech. Figurative uses can convey criticism, especially when applied to a person.
In a way that involves little physical depth.
"The children swam shallow near the sandy bank."
Less frequent than the adjective use and often appearing in contexts involving swimming, diving, or movement through water.
A shallow place, especially a stretch of shallow water.
"The sandbar made the shallows dangerous to passing boats."
Usually used in the plural form “shallows”; the singular is comparatively rare.
To become shallow or make something less deep.
"The lagoon gradually shallowed as silt accumulated along its edge."
Relatively uncommon in modern usage and more likely to appear in descriptive or technical writing.
Usually plural, referring to an area of shallow water; the singular “a shallow” is rare.
"Wading birds gather in the shallows at low tide."
Shallow traces back to an Old English word meaning both “shallow” and “hollow,” so its figurative sense of emptiness was built in from the start.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of shallow
Modern English “shallow” developed from Old English scealwe, meaning “shallow” or “hollow,” which was inherited from Proto-Germanic *skalwaz. Its roots are generally connected with the Indo-European root *skel-, associated with the idea of a hollow space. The Middle English spelling became influenced by “shoal,” a related word for a shallow place in water, and cognates include German schal, meaning “shallow” or “superficial.”
Related word forms
How shallow is actually used
As an adjective, “shallow” is highly common and neutral when describing physical depth. Its figurative uses can be critical: calling a person shallow suggests a lack of insight, sensitivity, or intellectual depth and may sound blunt. The adverb use is less frequent, while the noun is normally plural as “shallows,” and the verb is comparatively rare.
Easily confused with shallow
A shoal is a place where the water is shallow, while shallow is primarily an adjective describing something that lacks depth.