shallowbodied

Shallowbodied is an English compound adjective used to describe something that has a shallow body or form. It is not a standard term across technical vocabularies and tends to appear in descriptive writing, field notes, or niche discussions. The form is sometimes written as shallow-bodied; the hyphenated version is more common in formal contexts, while the unhyphenated variant appears in informal usage or digital text.

In biology and zoology, shallow-bodied describes organisms whose body depth is small relative to length. In fish morphology, body depth is a standard measure, and a shallow-bodied species tends to have a low dorsoventral profile, which can influence swimming, camouflage, and ecological niche. The term is more often found in descriptive passages rather than formal taxonomic keys.

Beyond biology, shallowbodied can apply to objects with a low-profile silhouette. For example, a shallow-bodied bottle or jar has a short, broad body that yields a shallow interior. The descriptor can also be used in art or product design to convey a compact, low-volume shape.

Metaphorically, the term may describe people, organizations, or works that appear to lack depth or complexity, implying superficiality rather than substance. This figurative use is informal and context-dependent.

Overall, shallowbodied is a flexible, nonstandard term used primarily in descriptive contexts to indicate a shallow body form, with hyphenation and usage varying by style and discipline. See also shallow-bodied, deep-bodied, body plan.