shadow
a dark figure or image cast on the ground or some surface by a body intercepting light.
shade or comparative darkness, as in an area.
shadows, darkness, especially that coming after sunset.
shelter; protection: sanctuary in the shadow of the church.
a slight suggestion; trace: beyond the shadow of a doubt.
a specter or ghost: pursued by shadows.
a hint or faint, indistinct image or idea; intimation: shadows of things to come.
a mere semblance: the shadow of power.
a reflected image.
(in painting, drawing, graphics, etc.)
the representation of the absence of light on a form.
the dark part of a picture, especially as representing the absence of illumination: Rembrandt's figures often emerge gradually from the shadows.
(in architectural shades and shadows) a dark figure or image cast by an object or part of an object upon a surface that would otherwise be illuminated by the theoretical light source.: Compare shade (def. 9).
a period or instance of gloom, unhappiness, mistrust, doubt, dissension, or the like, as in friendship or one's life: Their relationship was not without shadows.
a dominant or pervasive threat, influence, or atmosphere, especially one causing gloom, fear, doubt, or the like: They lived under the shadow of war.
an inseparable companion: The dog was his shadow.
a person who follows another in order to keep watch upon that person, as a spy or detective.
to screen or protect from light, heat, etc.; shade.
to follow and observe (a person): Spies and secret agents shadowed government officials in clandestine assignments during the Cold War.All new employees will be assigned a mentor whom they will shadow during their first week at work.
to represent faintly, prophetically, etc. (often followed by forth).
Archaic. to shelter or protect.
Archaic. to shade in painting, drawing, etc.
of or relating to a shadow cabinet.
without official authority: a shadow government.
unofficial or without public notice; characterized by secrecy or performed in a way that is difficult to detect; clandestine: shadow ban;shadow docket;shadow inflation.
Origin of shadow
1synonym study For shadow
Other words from shadow
- shad·ow·er, noun
- shad·ow·less, adjective
- shad·ow·like, adjective
- pre·shad·ow, noun, verb (used with object)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use shadow in a sentence
It had filled out; it had bloomed in her happiness; it was shadowless, featureless almost, like a flower.
The Flaw in the Crystal | May SinclairI saw it move; and the shadowless hand was raised as if to touch the precious and costly form of her I loved.
The frightful night in which I had shown myself shadowless in the moonlight, returned in all its brightness to my mind.
Peter Schlemihl | Adelbert von ChamissoI sat there shadowless and penniless: but a heavy weight had been removed from my bosom, and I was calm.
Peter Schlemihl | Adelbert von ChamissoThe sun burst through the clouds and the room was filled with the shadowless glare, and with moist intense heat.
Narcissus | Evelyn Scott
British Dictionary definitions for shadow
/ (ˈʃædəʊ) /
a dark image or shape cast on a surface by the interception of light rays by an opaque body
an area of relative darkness
the dark portions of a picture
a hint, image, or faint semblance: beyond a shadow of a doubt
a remnant or vestige: a shadow of one's past self
a reflection
a threatening influence; blight: a shadow over one's happiness
a spectre
an inseparable companion
a person who trails another in secret, such as a detective
med a dark area on an X-ray film representing an opaque structure or part
(in Jungian psychology) the archetype that represents man's animal ancestors
archaic, or rare protection or shelter
(modifier) British designating a member or members of the main opposition party in Parliament who would hold ministerial office if their party were in power: shadow Chancellor; shadow cabinet
to cast a shadow over
to make dark or gloomy; blight
to shade from light
to follow or trail secretly
(often foll by forth) to represent vaguely
painting drawing another word for shade (def. 13)
Origin of shadow
1Derived forms of shadow
- shadower, noun
- shadowless, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with shadow
In addition to the idiom beginning with shadow
- shadow of one's self
also see:
- afraid of one's own shadow
- beyond a (shadow of a) doubt
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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