shallow
7 synonyms and 1 antonyms for shallow, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Not deep; having little depth of water, thought, or feeling.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use shallow
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English schalowe, related to Old English sceald ("shallow").
Full origin of shallow →Frequently asked questions
What does “shallow” mean?
The word “shallow” means not deep; having little depth of water, thought, or feeling. In plain terms, not deep — either literally in water, or figuratively meaning superficial or lacking substance.
How do you pronounce “shallow”?
“Shallow” is pronounced SHA-loh (/ˈʃæloʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “shallow” in a sentence?
Here is “shallow” used in a sentence: “The children played safely in the shallow end of the pool.”
What is another word for “shallow”?
Words with a similar meaning to “shallow” include superficial.
What is the opposite of “shallow”?
The opposite of “shallow” — its antonyms — is deep.
What part of speech is “shallow”?
Depending on how it is used, “shallow” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “shallow” come from?
The word “shallow” comes from Old English. From Middle English schalowe, related to Old English sceald ("shallow").
Is “shallow” a common word?
“Shallow” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between shallow and superficial?
Both words describe a lack of depth, and they overlap when describing people or thinking. Superficial emphasises staying on the surface of a subject — a superficial reading or a superficial wound — while shallow more often criticises a person's character or emotions as lacking depth.
What are "the shallows"?
The shallows are the parts of a river, lake, or sea where the water is not deep. This noun use of shallow usually appears in the plural: "Fish gather in the shallows near the shore."
Can shallow describe things other than water?
Yes. Shallow describes anything with little depth, literal or figurative: a shallow dish, shallow breathing that draws in only a little air, and shallow arguments or feelings that lack substance.