The adjective SHALLOW has 3 senses: 1. lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center. 2. not deep or strong; not affecting one deeply. 3. lacking depth of intellect or knowledge; concerned only with what is obvious. Familiarity information: SHALLOW used as an adjective is uncommon. • SHALLOW (verb). The verb SHALLOW has 2 senses: 1. make shallow. 2. become shallow. Familiarity information: SHALLOW used as a verb is rare.