The word "shallow" is commonly misspelled as "shalow" or "shollow". The correct pronunciation of "shallow" is /ˈʃæl.oʊ/, with the stress on the first syllable. This means the "a" sound is pronounced as in "cat" and the syllable ends with the sound /oʊ/. The double "l" indicates a short vowel sound, therefore it should not be pronounced as "shal-low". Remembering the correct spelling and pronunciation of "shallow" can improve your communication skills and prevent confusion in writing and conversation.
Shallow is an adjective with multiple interpretations that can be applied to various contexts. Generally, it refers to something lacking depth or substance, particularly in a physical or metaphorical sense.
When describing physical objects or bodies of water, shallow refers to a relatively small depth or thickness. For instance, a shallow pool or pond is one that does not possess significant depth. Likewise, a shallow dish or container is not very deep. In terms of topography, a shallow slope or incline indicates a gentle angle or gradual elevation change.
In a metaphorical sense, shallow describes a person, idea, or concept lacking depth or intellectual or emotional substance. It suggests a superficial understanding or lack of profound thought or consideration. A shallow individual tends to prioritize surface-level aspects, such as appearance or material wealth, over deeper values or qualities. Similarly, shallow thinking involves a lack of critical analysis or the tendency to focus on superficial aspects rather than exploring complex or nuanced ideas.
Furthermore, shallow can be used to describe a conversation or discussion that lacks depth or meaningful exchange of ideas. This type of discourse often involves trivial or insignificant topics and fails to consider profound or substantial matters.
Overall, shallow characterizes anything that has a limited depth, significance, or complexity, whether it be physical, intellectual, emotional, or conversational.
• Having little depth; not far to the bottom; superficial; trifling.
• Any place where the water has but little depth.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "shallow" originated from the Old English word "sceald" or "scealde", which meant "shallow or flat". This Old English term can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "skaldaz" or "skalduz", meaning "to be shallow". The word "shallow" has been used in English since at least the 15th century to denote something with limited depth, particularly in reference to bodies of water.