What does shallowest mean?
Shallowest is the superlative form of “shallow” and means having the least depth of any member of a group. It is commonly used for the most shallow area of water, a beach, a pool, or another physical feature, as in “the shallowest point in the river.” The word can also describe the most superficial kind of thinking, conversation, or artistic work: a discussion may be criticized as shallow when it deals with appearances while avoiding deeper meaning. Shallowest is normally formed with “the” when comparing specific people, places, or things, though it may also appear after an explicit comparative, as in “the shallowest of the three ponds.” Its figurative use is generally critical, suggesting a lack of nuance, insight, or emotional engagement rather than merely a brief explanation.
adjectiveHaving the smallest depth among a group of things or places. It can also mean, figuratively, lacking depth of thought, feeling, or understanding.
- Having the least depth among a group of things or places.
- Lacking depth of thought, emotion, or understanding, especially when compared with other people or ideas.
"The shallowest part of the lake is near the southern shore."
"We found the shallowest crossing just beyond the reeds."
"His interpretation was the shallowest of all the responses, focusing on surface details while ignoring the broader context."
The shallowest point in a body of water can still be surprisingly deep, revealing how much a single superlative can depend on perspective.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shallowest come from?
The word belongs to the Old English word “sceolwe,” meaning shallow, which developed through Middle English into the modern forms “shallow” and “shallowness.” The family also includes related words such as “shoal,” an area of shallow water, and “shallowly.” The superlative ending “-est” follows the usual English pattern for forming the greatest degree of an adjective.
Related word forms
How shallowest is actually used
As a superlative, it is normally used with “the” and a group or comparison. In figurative use, it suggests superficiality or lack of intellectual or emotional depth.
Easily confused with shallowest
“Shallowest” is the superlative of “shallow,” while “shallow” describes something with little depth in general.