/ ˈʃæləʊ; NAmE -loʊ/ adjective ( shal·low·er , shal·low·est )
1.
not having much distance between the top or surface and the bottom :
a shallow dish
They were playing in the shallow end (= of the swimming pool) .
These fish are found in shallow waters around the coast.
OPP deep
2.
( disapproving ) ( of a person, an idea, a comment, etc. ) not showing serious thought, feelings, etc. about sth
SYN superficial
3.
shallow breathing involves taking in only a small amount of air each time
► shal·low·ly adverb :
He was breathing shallowly.
► shal·low·ness noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : obscurely related to shoal sense 2.