shadowy

[ shad-oh-ee ]

/ ˈʃæd oʊ i /

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.

Nearby words

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for shadowy

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

The shadowy commander known as “Strelkov” (gunman) may have quit.
Shakeup In the Ukraine Rebel High Command|Jamie Dettmer|August 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the shadowy light swayed a half dozen celebrants of the weird rites.
Whispering Walls|Mildred A. Wirt
From the window of the son's room, the father saw the sudden blaze of torches, the shadowy forms of the men-hunters.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 63, No. 392, June, 1848|Various
“Yet I could stand up under a good deal more,” he rejoined, his thoughts trailing Jerry Boyle up the shadowy gorge.
Claim Number One|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
The dark waters of the little lake, and the shadowy tree-clad hills seemed very beautiful.
Invaders from the Infinite|John Wood Campbell
Occasionally a few creatures would pass by, their shadowy forms scarcely distinguishable through the gloom.
In the Wilds of Florida|W.H.G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for shadowy

shadowy

/ (ˈʃædəʊɪ) /

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

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

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

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of shadowy

Examples from the Web for shadowy

British Dictionary definitions for shadowy

shadowy

adjective

Word Origin and History for shadowy

shadowy