shallow
Lacking any depth
Shallow describes limited depth—the opposite of deep.
A shallow pool doesn't reach far below the surface.
Shallow breathing doesn't fill the lungs.
Shallow understanding doesn't penetrate the subject.
Applied to people, shallow is dismissive: concerned only with surfaces, lacking intellectual or emotional depth.
She found him charming but shallow.
The shallows are areas of water near shore.
Shallow collected rainwater
- wadingTraversing shallow water on foot
- ankle-deepSubmerged to the foot
- fordableAble to be crossed
- shoalShallow water hazard
sandbar · reef · tidal · inlet · cove · lagoon · estuary · littoral
Affecting only the surface
- surface-levelConcerning only the outermost layer
- cursoryHasty and incomplete
- perfunctoryDone with minimal effort
- glibSuperficially articulate
facile · simplistic · insubstantial · cosmetic · trivial · fleeting · outward · veneer
Excessively proud or futile
- self-absorbedExcessively focused inward
- materialisticPrioritizing physical wealth
- pettyOf little importance
- superficialLacking depth or substance
narcissistic · insincere · fake · hollow · empty-headed · airheaded · ditzy · flighty
Dull, without depth
- vacuousEmpty of content
- frivolousNot worthy of attention
- lightweightLacking mass or importance
- unthinkingLacking conscious thought
incurious · dim · dull · uninformed · unread · ignorant · philistine · banal
puddle
Shallow collected rainwater
- wadingTraversing shallow water on foot
- ankle-deepSubmerged to the foot
- fordableAble to be crossed
shoal · sandbar · reef · tidal · inlet · cove · lagoon · estuary · littoral · intertidal
skin-deep
Affecting only the surface
- surface-levelConcerning only the outermost layer
- cursoryHasty and incomplete
- perfunctoryDone with minimal effort
glib · facile · simplistic · insubstantial · cosmetic · trivial · fleeting · outward · veneer · hollow
vain
Excessively proud or futile
- self-absorbedExcessively focused inward
- materialisticPrioritizing physical wealth
- pettyOf little importance
superficial · narcissistic · insincere · fake · hollow · empty-headed · airheaded · ditzy · flighty · fickle
vapid
Dull, without depth
- vacuousEmpty of content
- frivolousNot worthy of attention
- lightweightLacking mass or importance
unthinking · incurious · dim · dull · uninformed · unread · ignorant · philistine · banal · trite
rapid
Moving with haste
wheezing · faint · weak · irregular · light · fitful · uneven · hyperventilating · breathless · short
- breathingbreathing, inhalation, breath, exhalation, breathe
- boat descriptorsseaworthy, sailing, motorized, anchored, moored
- commitment levelscommitted, dedicated, devoted, loyal, faithful
- container traitsairtight, leakproof, sealed, watertight, stackable
- ocean depthsdeep, abyss, deep sea, deep ocean, surface
- superficialsurface, skin-deep, depthless, cursory, perfunctory
shallowdeep
Far from surface
bottomless · abyssal · unfathomable · fathomless · cavernous
shallowprofound
Intensely meaningful or insightful
deep · thoughtful · serious · penetrating · substantive
- shallow endPool's shallowest part
- shallow waterLow-depth aquatic area
- shallow breathingMinimal lung expansion
- shallow grave
- shallow breathMinimal lung intake
- shallow rootsUnderground growth lacking depth
shallows, shallowness, shallowly, shallowing, shallowest, shallower, shallow end