Hollow vs. Shallow: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 28, 2023
"Hollow" refers to a space or void inside something, while "Shallow" describes a lack of depth or superficiality.
Key Differences
"Hollow" and "Shallow" are both terms that pertain to depth, but they describe different aspects of it. "Hollow" primarily denotes an empty space inside something, suggesting a void or cavity. On the other hand, "Shallow" implies a limited depth, often used to describe surfaces not extending far downward.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
A "Hollow" object, such as a log, has an interior space or cavity. This emptiness can be physical, like in a hollow tree, or metaphorical, such as a hollow promise, meaning insincere. "Shallow," meanwhile, characterizes things like ponds or personalities that lack depth. A shallow dish doesn't have much depth, just as a shallow person might be deemed superficial or lacking substance.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
In terms of emotional context, "Hollow" can convey feelings of emptiness or lack of fulfillment. For instance, one might feel hollow after a loss, indicating a sense of void or absence. "Shallow," when used in emotional or character contexts, tends to denote a lack of depth, insight, or sincerity, suggesting superficiality.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Both "Hollow" and "Shallow" can serve as adjectives, but they can also function differently in a sentence. For example, "Hollow" can be a noun, as in "The hollow of the tree was home to animals." "Shallow," while not typically a noun, can be used as one in certain contexts, like "The shallows of the beach are safe for children."
Harlon Moss
Oct 27, 2023
When analyzing literature or artistic works, both terms can be significant. "Hollow" might symbolize emptiness, void, or a lack of essence. In contrast, "Shallow" could represent superficiality, fleeting emotions, or a surface-level understanding.
Janet White
Oct 27, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Typical Usage
Referring to cavities or voids
Describing surfaces or personalities
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Emotional Connotation
Feelings of emptiness or lack of fulfillment
Superficiality or lack of substance
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Contextual Application
Symbolizes emptiness or a lack of essence
Represents superficiality or surface-level
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
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Hollow and Shallow Definitions
Hollow
Having an empty space within.
The hollow log was home to several creatures.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
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Shallow
Measuring little from bottom to top or surface; lacking physical depth.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
Deeply indented or concave; sunken
"His bearded face already has a set, hollow look" (Conor Cruise O'Brien).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Shallow
Lacking depth of intellect, emotion, or knowledge
"This is a shallow parody of America" (Lloyd Rose).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
Devoid of truth or validity; specious
"Theirs is at best a hollow form of flattery" (Annalyn Swan).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Shallow
In the part of a playing area that is closer to home plate
Shallow left field.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Shallow
Often shallows A part of a body of water of little depth; a shoal
Abandoned the boat in the shallows.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Shallow
Having little depth; significantly less deep than wide.
This crater is relatively shallow.
Saute the onions in a shallow pan.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Shallow
Concerned mainly with superficial matters.
It was a glamorous but shallow lifestyle.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Shallow
Lacking interest or substance.
The acting is good, but the characters are shallow.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Shallow
Not intellectually deep; not penetrating deeply; simple; not wise or knowing.
Shallow learning
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
A small valley between mountains.
He built himself a cabin in a hollow high up in the Rockies.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
A sunken area or unfilled space in something solid; a cavity, natural or artificial.
The hollow of the hand or of a tree
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Shallow
(angles) Not steep; close to horizontal.
A shallow climb; a shallow descent; a shallow bank angle
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
(figuratively) A feeling of emptiness.
A hollow in the pit of one’s stomach
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Shallow
A shallow portion of an otherwise deep body of water.
The ship ran aground in an unexpected shallow.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
(of something solid) Having an empty space or cavity inside.
A hollow tree; a hollow sphere
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
(of a sound) Distant, eerie; echoing, reverberating, as if in a hollow space; dull, muffled; often low-pitched.
He let out a hollow moan.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
(figuratively) Without substance; having no real or significant worth; meaningless.
A hollow victory
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Shallow
Not intellectually deep; not profound; not penetrating deeply; simple; not wise or knowing; ignorant; superficial; as, a shallow mind; shallow learning.
The king was neither so shallow, nor so ill advertised, as not to perceive the intention of the French king.
Deep versed in books, and shallow in himself.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
(figuratively) Insincere, devoid of validity; specious.
A hollow promise
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Shallow
A place in a body of water where the water is not deep; a shoal; a flat; a shelf.
A swift stream is not heard in the channel, but upon shallows of gravel.
Dashed on the shallows of the moving sand.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
(colloquial) Completely, as part of the phrase beat hollow or beat all hollow.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
Having an empty space or cavity, natural or artificial, within a solid substance; not solid; excavated in the interior; as, a hollow tree; a hollow sphere.
Hollow with boards shalt thou make it.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
Reverberated from a cavity, or resembling such a sound; deep; muffled; as, a hollow roar.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Shallow
Lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center;
Shallow water
A shallow dish
A shallow cut
A shallow closet
Established a shallow beachhead
Hit the ball to shallow left field
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
Not sincere or faithful; false; deceitful; not sound; as, a hollow heart; a hollow friend.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Shallow
Not deep or strong; not affecting one deeply;
Shallow breathing
A night of shallow fretful sleep
In a shallow trance
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
A cavity, natural or artificial; an unfilled space within anything; a hole, a cavern; an excavation; as the hollow of the hand or of a tree.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Shallow
Lacking depth of intellect or knowledge; concerned only with what is obvious;
Shallow people
His arguments seemed shallow and tedious
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
A low spot surrounded by elevations; a depressed part of a surface; a concavity; a channel.
Forests grewUpon the barren hollows.
I hate the dreadful hollow behind the little wood.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Shallow
Superficial; lacking depth of character or understanding.
The movie's plot was rather shallow.
Harlon Moss
Oct 10, 2023
Hollow
To shout; to hollo.
Whisperings and hollowings are alike to a deaf ear.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
A cavity or space in something;
Hunger had caused the hollows in their cheeks
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Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
A small valley between mountains;
He built himself a cabin in a hollow high up in the Appalachians
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
Remove the inner part or the core of;
The mining company wants to excavate the hillsite
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Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
Not solid; having a space or gap or cavity;
A hollow wall
A hollow tree
Hollow cheeks
His face became gaunter and more hollow with each year
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Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
As if echoing in a hollow space;
The hollow sound of footsteps in the empty ballroom
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Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
Devoid of significance or point;
Empty promises
A hollow victory
Vacuous comments
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Hollow
Depressed or sunken area.
He had hollows under his eyes from lack of sleep.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
FAQs
Can "Hollow" be used metaphorically?
Yes, "Hollow" can indicate insincerity or lack of substance, like in a "hollow promise."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Is "Shallow" ever used as a noun?
Occasionally, as in "The shallows of the beach."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
How do the terms relate to physical objects?
"Hollow" objects have an internal void, while "Shallow" objects lack depth.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Do "Hollow" and "Shallow" have the same meaning?
No, "Hollow" denotes an empty space inside, while "Shallow" indicates a lack of depth.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
When is "Shallow" typically used?
"Shallow" can describe surfaces lacking depth or superficial personalities.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Can "Hollow" also be a noun?
Yes, e.g., "The bird nested in the hollow of the tree."
Harlon Moss
Oct 27, 2023
What might a "Shallow" character in literature imply?
A character lacking depth, insight, or sincerity.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Can "Shallow" describe water bodies?
Yes, e.g., a "shallow pool" or "shallow end of a pool."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
If someone's words are "Hollow," are they meaningful?
Typically, no. "Hollow" words lack sincerity or substance.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Which term conveys a deeper emotional void?
"Hollow" often conveys a deeper sense of emotional emptiness.
Harlon Moss
Oct 27, 2023
What sound might a "Hollow" object produce?
A "Hollow" object can produce a resonating or echoing sound.
Janet White
Oct 27, 2023
Is "Shallow" always negative in connotation?
Not always. While it can indicate superficiality, it can also neutrally describe physical depth.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Are both "Hollow" and "Shallow" adjectives?
Primarily, yes. But "Hollow" can also be a noun, and "Shallow" occasionally.
Janet White
Oct 27, 2023
Which term, "Hollow" or "Shallow," indicates an interior void?
"Hollow" indicates an interior void or cavity.
Harlon Moss
Oct 27, 2023
Can "Shallow" describe a person's thinking?
Yes, implying a lack of depth or thoroughness in thought.
Sara Rehman
Oct 27, 2023
Is a "Hollow victory" a sincere win?
No, it implies a win that lacks true satisfaction or value.
Sara Rehman
Oct 27, 2023
Can "Shallow" be used in positive contexts?
While often neutral or negative, it can be positive, e.g., "shallow waters" being safe for kids.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 27, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
