shallower; shallowest
1
a
: having a small distance to the bottom from the surface or highest point
a shallow dish/pond/grave
The shallow end of the pool is only three feet deep.
b
: not going far inward from the outside or the front edge of something
a shallow closet
2
disapproving
: not caring about or involving serious or important things
Her boyfriends were all shallow creeps.
She is only interested in shallow [=superficial] things like clothes and money.
3
: taking in a small amount of air
She could only take shallow breaths.
His breathing became very shallow.
4
sports
: located near the inside edges of an area
(baseball) He hit a fly ball to shallow right field.
Cite this Entry
“Shallow.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/shallow. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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