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

shadowbox, shadowed, shadowgraph, shadowing, shadowland, shadowy, shadrach, shaduf, shadwell, shady, shaef

Origin of shadowy

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

Related forms

shad·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 Forms

shadowiness, 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