shallow

Adj

1. Having little depth; significantly less deep than wide.
2. Extending not far downward.
3. Concerned mainly with superficial matters.
4. Lacking interest or substance; flat; one-dimensional.
5. Not intellectually deep; not penetrating deeply; simple; not wise or knowing.
6. (obsolete) Not deep in tone.
7. Not far forward, close to the net.
8. Not steep; close to horizontal.

Noun

1. A shallow portion of an otherwise deep body of water.
2. A fish, the rudd.
3. (historical) A costermonger's barrow.

Verb

To make or become less deep.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈʃaləʊ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: schalowe

Cognate with Middle English: schalde

Cognate with Old English: sċeald

Cognate with Low German: Scholl

In summary

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.

Synonyms

superficial

shoal

not deep

frivolous

cursory

flat

flippant

wide

low

fordable

irresponsible

light

sciolistic

perfunctory

short

empty

feckless

thin

idle

skin-deep

broad

stupid

dull

ineffectual

basin

surface

reduce

reef

round

sandbar

silly

silt

simple

sketchy

squat

thoughtless

tone down

two-dimensional

underslung

unintelligent

unsubstantial

vacuous

vain

vapid

wash

🧽

wok

become shallow

dilettanteish

of thin make

slight wound

Translations

seicht

flach

superficiel

peu profond

ondiep

płytki

superficial

raso

bajo

poco profondo

ρηχός

poco profundo

oberflächlich

superficiale

superficial