Main Entry:

¹shal·low

Pronunciation:

\ˈsha-(ˌ)lō\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English schalowe; probably akin to Old English sceald shallow — more at skeleton

Date:

14th century

1: having little depth <shallow water>2: having little extension inward or backward <office buildings have taken the form of shallow slabs — Lewis Mumford>3 a: penetrating only the easily or quickly perceived <shallow generalizations> b: lacking in depth of knowledge, thought, or feeling <a shallow demagogue>4: displacing comparatively little air : weak <shallow breathing>

synonyms see superficial

— shal·low·ly \-lō-lē, -lə-lē\ adverb

— shal·low·ness noun