shadowy

[shad-oh-ee]

See more synonyms for shadowy on Thesaurus.com

adjective, shad·ow·i·er, shad·ow·i·est.

resembling a shadow in faintness, slightness, etc.: shadowy outlines.
unsubstantial, unreal, or illusory: shadowy preoccupations.
abounding in shadow; shady: a shadowy path.

enveloped in shadow.
casting a shadow.

Origin of shadowy

First recorded in 1325–75, shadowy is from the Middle English word shadewy. See shadow, -y¹

Related formsshad·ow·i·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for shadowy

Contemporary Examples

His weeknight program, “Coast-to-Coast AM,” discussed aliens, paranormal activity, and shadowy government cover-ups.
The Godfather of Right-Wing Radio
Caitlin Dickson
November 23, 2014
Those that do survive, or are lucky enough to have escaped infection, meet a shadowy future.
Liberia’s Ebola Orphans
Abby Haglage
October 14, 2014
The Federal Reserve, which was just caught playing footsie with Goldman Sachs, is as shadowy as it is powerful.
The Sane Case for Auditing the Fed
Nick Gillespie
October 2, 2014
Get to know The Gathering, a shadowy, powerful network of hard-right funders meeting Thursday in Florida.
The $1-Billion-a-Year Right-Wing Conspiracy You Haven’t Heard Of
Jay Michaelson
September 25, 2014
The shadowy commander known as “Strelkov” (gunman) may have quit.
Shakeup In the Ukraine Rebel High Command
Jamie Dettmer
August 15, 2014

Historical Examples

He had got a dangerous game to play, and his plans were vague and shadowy.
Life in London
Edwin Hodder
He hesitated on the pavement, his eyes searching the shadowy balcony.
K
Mary Roberts Rinehart
The Princess and her women lost themselves in the shadowy wood.
The Trail Book
Mary Austin
From the woods there emerged the shadowy forms of three men.
In the Midst of Alarms
Robert Barr
And in the low bushes could be discerned the lurking, furtive, shadowy jackals.
The Leopard Woman
Stewart Edward White

British Dictionary definitions for shadowy

shadowy

adjective

full of shadows; dark; shady
resembling a shadow in faintness; vague
illusory or imaginary
mysterious or secretivea shadowy underworld figure

Derived Formsshadowiness, noun

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

Word Origin and History for shadowy

adj.

late 14c., shadewy, "full of shadows," also "transitory, fleeting, unreal;" see shadow (n.) + -y (2). From 1797 as "faintly perceptible." Related: Shadowiness. Old English had sceadwig "shady."

shadowy

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Examples from the Web for shadowy

Contemporary Examples

His weeknight program, “Coast-to-Coast AM,” discussed aliens, paranormal activity, and shadowy government cover-ups.

Those that do survive, or are lucky enough to have escaped infection, meet a shadowy future.

The Federal Reserve, which was just caught playing footsie with Goldman Sachs, is as shadowy as it is powerful.

Get to know The Gathering, a shadowy, powerful network of hard-right funders meeting Thursday in Florida.

The shadowy commander known as “Strelkov” (gunman) may have quit.

Historical Examples

He had got a dangerous game to play, and his plans were vague and shadowy.

He hesitated on the pavement, his eyes searching the shadowy balcony.

The Princess and her women lost themselves in the shadowy wood.

From the woods there emerged the shadowy forms of three men.

And in the low bushes could be discerned the lurking, furtive, shadowy jackals.

shadowy

Word Origin and History for shadowy

adj.

Origin of shadowy