shadow

[ shad-oh ]

/ ˈʃæd oʊ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: shadow / shadowed / shadowing / shadows on Thesaurus.com

noun

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. 16).

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.

verb (used with object)

to overspread with shadow; shade.

to cast a gloom over; cloud: The incident shadowed their meeting.

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.

adjective

of or relating to a shadow cabinet.

without official authority: a shadow government.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"

"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of shadow

First recorded before 900; Middle English noun shadwe, shadu(e), shadow(e), Old English sceadu, oblique case scead(u)we; Middle English verb shadwe(n), shadu(e) “to shade, provide shade, cast a shadow, protect,” Old English sceadwian “to cover with shadow, protect,” derivative of the noun; compare Old Saxon skadowan, skadoian, Gothic (ufar)skadwjan “to (over)shadow”; see also shade, shadow

synonym study for shadow

1. See shade.

OTHER WORDS FROM shadow

shad·ow·er, nounshad·ow·less, adjectiveshad·ow·like, adjectivepre·shad·ow, noun, verb (used with object)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use shadow in a sentence

Today, the company is just a shadow of its former self and a wholly unfulfilling experience.
Friday feedback: Defending democracy, finding purpose|Alan Murray|November 13, 2020|Fortune
The stuck slide cast a shadow on the screen, which excited the neuron beyond anything the two had previously observed.
Are We Wired to Be Outside? - Issue 92: Frontiers|Grigori Guitchounts|November 11, 2020|Nautilus
As my unemployed friends started applying for and receiving government benefits, I was trapped in the shadows.
You Think Being a Trans Chinese Sex Worker Is Easy?|Eugene Robinson|November 11, 2020|Ozy
The answer, of course, was that no CEO wanted his or her company to be Toys “R” Us, Westinghouse, or Kodak—leaders in their time but now shadows of their former selves.
The pandemic dramatically accelerated the digital shift. These CEOs explain how they got it done|Aric Jenkins|November 11, 2020|Fortune

The list grows longer by the day, casting a shadow that will hover over us long after the pandemic has ceased to control our daily activities.
The best barbecue joints in the D.C. area|Tim Carman|November 10, 2020|Washington Post
He did not look back, but he seemed to see the shadower on his trail.
Frank Merriwell's Bravery|Burt L. Standish
Old Broadbrim watched the shadower for some time and came to the conclusion that he was really watched.
Old Broadbrim Into the Heart of Australia|Author of "Old Broadbrim"
About this time I discovered that several people needed looking after, and I sent for a boy shadower.
The Diamond Coterie|Lawrence L. Lynch
As a divorce-suit shadower he was equally resourceful and equally successful.
The Shadow|Arthur Stringer
The wicked curved knife doubtless concealed under the belt of the apache turned the scale decisively in the mind of the shadower.
Swirling Waters|Max Rittenberg

British Dictionary definitions for shadow

shadow

/ (ˈʃædəʊ) /

noun

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 semblancebeyond a shadow of a doubt

a remnant or vestigea shadow of one's past self

a reflection

a threatening influence; blighta 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 powershadow Chancellor; shadow cabinet

verb (tr)

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)

Derived forms of shadow

shadower, nounshadowless, adjective

Word Origin for shadow

Old English sceadwe, oblique case of sceadu shade; related to Dutch schaduw

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

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

shadow

Origin of shadow

synonym study for shadow

OTHER WORDS FROM shadow

Words related to shadow

How to use shadow in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for shadow

Derived forms of shadow

Word Origin for shadow

Other Idioms and Phrases with shadow