shal·low / ˈshalō/ • adj. of little depth: serve the noodles in a shallow bowl being fairly shallow, the water was warm. ∎  situated at no great depth: the shallow bed of the North Sea. ∎  varying only slightly from a specified or understood line or direction, esp. the horizontal: a shallow roof. ∎  not exhibiting, requiring, or capable of serious thought: a shallow analysis of contemporary society. ∎  (of breathing) taking in little air.• n. (shallows) an area of the sea, a lake, or a river where the water is not very deep.• v. [intr.] (of the sea, a lake, or a river) become less deep over time or in a particular place: the boat ground to a halt where the water shallowed.DERIVATIVES: shal·low·ly adv.shal·low·ness n.

shallow not deep. XV. Obscurely rel. to synon. OE. sċeald, ME. schald; see SHOAL1.