shadowy

adjective

shad·​owy ˈsha-dō-ē How to pronounce shadowy (audio)
-də-wē
1
a
: of the nature of or resembling a shadow
b
: faintly perceptible : indistinct
2
: being in or obscured by shadow
deep shadowy interiors
3
shadowily adverb
shadowiness noun

Examples of shadowy in a Sentence

She was pursued by a shadowy figure. He had only a shadowy idea of what they wanted him to do.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Loading your audio article HERCULES — Two shadowy figures here were somehow able to convince a woman to hand them a bag of cash containing $24,000 and close her eyes to join them in prayer, in another bizarre scam to hit a Bay Area resident. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024 In this scene and others, Eastwood lulls the audience into a different kind of dream state than the shadowy interiors; placing the action in direct sunlight, the director indicates there’s nothing to fear — then pulls the rug out by revealing the menace lurking just outside the frame. Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2024 Since then, at least five more shadowy spots have peppered Neptune’s face. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024 Challengers assume these errors are not routine discrepancies but evidence of systematic voter fraud and a shadowy plot to foil the presidential election. Caroline Haskins, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shadowy 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of shadowy was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near shadowy

Cite this Entry

“Shadowy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shadowy. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

shadowy

adjective
shad·​owy ˈshad-ə-wē How to pronounce shadowy (audio)
1
a
: not realistic
shadowy dreams of glory
b
: dim as a shadow
the shadowy area between good and bad
2
: full of shade
a shadowy lane

More from Merriam-Webster on shadowy

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