WordGarden.ioshallowness
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ʃˈæləʊnəs/
US
- /ˈʃæloʊnəs/
Meanings
Noun
lack of depth, seriousness, or understanding in thought or treatment
superficiality in character, feeling, or relationships
lack of physical depth
Beyond the definition
Shallowness is not just about something being physically not deep. More often, it means a lack of real feeling, thought, or meaning. A shallow conversation stays on safe or unimportant topics and does not go very far beneath the surface.
You might call a person "shallow" if they care too much about looks, status, or possessions and not enough about other people's feelings or deeper values. A shallow story or idea may seem interesting at first, but it does not have much depth or complexity. Sometimes this comes from avoiding hard truths, and sometimes it comes from limited experience or reflection.
Shallowness refers to a lack of depth—not necessarily physical depth, but rather emotional, intellectual, or spiritual depth. It describes something lacking substance, complexity, or genuine meaning. It is the antithesis of profundity, sincerity, and thoughtfulness.
You might encounter shallowness in many contexts. A "shallow person" is often preoccupied with superficial things like appearance, status, or gossip, and may struggle to connect with others on a deeper level. They might prioritize fleeting pleasures over lasting values. Similarly, a "shallow relationship" lacks the intimacy, vulnerability, and genuine connection required for true companionship.
Shallowness can also apply to ideas or works of art. A "shallow argument" doesn't explore the nuances of an issue, while a "shallow novel" may lack complex characters or meaningful themes. Think of a pop song with catchy lyrics but little emotional resonance—that's shallowness in musical form.
Historically, the concept of shallowness has been linked to moral failings and a lack of intellectual curiosity. Philosophers have long warned against prioritizing superficiality over substance. In literature, shallow characters often serve as foils to more complex ones, highlighting the importance of an inner life and genuine connection. So, whether describing a person, an idea, or a work of art, shallowness points to a surface-level existence that lacks true meaning or lasting value. It's a reminder to look beyond appearances and seek out substance in all aspects of life.
Examples
- 1
River depth
Because of the shallowness of the river, larger boats had to stop upstream.
- 2
Film criticism
At first the documentary seemed powerful, but its shallowness became obvious halfway through.
- 3
Political criticism
Critics accused the campaign of shallowness and empty slogans.
- Patternaccuse X of shallowness
say X lacks real thought or depth
- 4
Social conversation
She was tired of the shallowness of conversations that never moved beyond money and status.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Character growth
The novel contrasts the hero's early shallowness with the maturity he gains later.
See also
Similar
- superficiality
- lack of depth
- vacuity
Shades of meaning
- glibness
- vapidness
- skin-deep
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- emotional shallowness
- intellectual shallowness
- moral shallowness
- the shallowness of
Word family
Explore
- anti-intellectualism
- materialism
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- shallownessnoun