shadowy

adjective

shad·​owy ˈsha-dō-ē How to pronounce shadowy (audio)
-də-wē
Synonyms of shadowynext
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
a
: shady sense 1
b
: shady sense 3
shadowily
ˈsha-də-wə-lē How to pronounce shadowy (audio)
adverb
shadowiness
ˈsha-də-wē-nəs How to pronounce shadowy (audio)
noun

Synonyms of shadowy

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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.
As a shadowy figure appeared behind a curtain, the actress widened her eyes in alarm, adding another playful nod to the movie's home invasion storyline. — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026 His producers find a shadowy space between the headrush of cloud rap and the glitchiness of PC Music hyperpop, where everything sounds colossal and darkly palatial. — Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026 Through stoicism, Nighthawks spins the dark side of American life as cool; its quiet menace is slick and alluring, and its lonesome, shadowy characters are iconic. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026 Try Jackson’s go-to hue, Aprés Gel Couleur in Dusky Dawn, which is offset by shadowy gray tones, or Sally Hansen Lavender Skies, which features a sheer purple base and twinkling particles of holographic shimmer. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 24 Oct. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

shadow welt
shadowy
shad porgy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shadowy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shadowy. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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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
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