来自古英语 sceald,浅的，来自 Proto-Germanic*skalaz,晒干的，浅的，来自 PIE*skel,使变干， 可能来自 PIE*skai,照耀，照射，词源同 shine,sheen.引申比喻义浅薄的。

1. The shallow sea bed yields up an abundance of food.

浅海床提供了丰富的食物。

2. With one exce-ption his novels are shallow and lifeless things.

他的小说都是些肤浅沉闷的玩意儿，只有一本除外。

3. Lowered sea levels exposed the shallow continental shelf beneath the Bering Sea.

海平面下降使白令海底部的浅层大陆架暴露出来。

4. She began to hear her own taut, shallow breathing.

她开始听见自己急促、微弱的呼吸。

5. The evening news is often criticized for being shallow.

晚间新闻常因其内容肤浅而受到批评。