shadowy

adjective

shad·​owy ˈsha-dō-ē 

-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

a

: shady sense 1

b

: shady sense 3

shadowily

ˈsha-də-wə-lē 

adverb

shadowiness

ˈsha-də-wē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of shadowy

• vague
• faint
• hazy

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

Not to be outdone, its Moorea shorts subtly incorporate both the brand’s trademark turtle and a shadowy check pattern through jacquard weaving. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 May 2026

The photo reveals subtle imperfections in the arc of the moon's crescent, created as sunlight fell on craters and broken terrain lining the shadowy divide separating night from day on the lunar surface. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 20 May 2026

However, as her name suggests, Elektra has her own shadowy agenda. —John Russell, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026

All of our costumes were supposed to be stiff, to embody this dark, shadowy world. —Rachel Handler, Vulture, 18 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

shadowy

adjective

shad·​owy ˈshad-ə-wē 

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