shallow
UK: ˈʃæləʊ | US: ˈʃæloʊ
adj. 1. of little depth; not deep
adj. 2. lacking intellectual or emotional depth; superficial
n. 3. (often shallows) a shallow area of water
The word "shallow" originates from Old English sceald (meaning "shoal" or "shallow water"), combined with the suffix -ow (a variant of -low, implying "less" or "reduced"). Over time, sceald evolved into "shal-," retaining its core meaning of minimal depth, while the suffix reinforced the concept of diminishment. The word’s progression reflects a literal-to-figurative shift, from describing physical depth to critiquing intellectual or emotional superficiality.
The river is too shallow for boats to pass.
His arguments were shallow and lacked evidence.
Children played in the shallows near the shore.
The dish is shallow, perfect for serving appetizers.
She criticized the film for its shallow character development.