shadow

shad·ow | \ ˈsha-(ˌ)dō

Definition of shadow

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : the dark figure cast upon a surface by a body intercepting the rays from a source of light

2 : partial darkness or obscurity within a part of space from which rays from a source of light are cut off by an interposed opaque body

3 : a small degree or portion : trace

4 : an attenuated form or a vestigial remnant

5a : an inseparable companion or follower

b : one (such as a spy or detective) who shadows someone

6a : an area near an object : vicinity

b : pervasive and dominant influence

7 : a shaded or darker portion of a picture

8 : a reflected image

9 : shelter from danger or observation

10a : an imperfect and faint representation

b : an imitation of something : copy

11 : phantom

12 shadows plural : dark sense 1a

13 : a source of gloom or unhappiness

14 : a state of ignominy or obscurity

shadow

verb

shadowed; shadowing; shadows

Definition of shadow (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to cast a shadow upon : cloud

2a : to follow especially secretly : trail

b : to accompany and observe especially in a professional setting

3 : to represent or indicate obscurely or faintly —often used with forth or out

4 archaic : shelter, protect

5 archaic : shade sense 5

6 obsolete : to shelter from the sun

7 obsolete : conceal

intransitive verb

1 : to pass gradually or by degrees

2 : to become overcast with or as if with shadows

shadow

adjective

Definition of shadow (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : of, relating to, or resembling a shadow cabinet shadow minister of defense

2a : having an indistinct pattern shadow plaid

b : having darker sections of design shadow lace

Other Words from shadow Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about shadow

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Examples of shadow in a Sentence

Noun The tree cast a long shadow across the lawn. You can see your own shadow on a sunny day. Part of the valley was in shadow. He saw something moving in the shadows. I sensed a shadow of disappointment in his expression. Verb Police shadowed the suspect for several days. She spent the night shadowing other waiters at the restaurant.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The story about a young newlywed who lives in the shadow of her husband’s first wife, Rebecca, on a sprawling family estate on the English coast was nothing short of mesmerizing. — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, "Netflix’s Rebecca: Everything We Know About the Lily James and Armie Hammer Movie," 7 Aug. 2020 In the film, shark scientist Tristan Guttridge explains that their size may be a result of the many areas in shadow under the bridge, which allow these huge predators to rest in, and launch attacks from, the darkness. — Jeanne Jakle, ExpressNews.com, "Discovery Channel’s Shark Week has competition this summer from Sharkest on Nat Geo Wild," 6 Aug. 2020 More than 7,000 reviewers swear that swiping and patting in a touch of this formula onto your lid before shadow is a must-have step for an untouchable eye look. — Jessica Kasparian, USA TODAY, "8 ways to make your eyes look amazing while wearing a face mask," 4 Aug. 2020 The site sits on 146th Street, one of the busiest four-lane roads in the county, and in the shadow of the towering Monon Greenway bridge that crosses the road. — Kaitlin Lange, The Indianapolis Star, "'Am I just the collateral damage?': Carmel council approves 146th Street townhomes," 4 Aug. 2020 The original launch date was in the shadow of the 2020 iPhone SE launch, which really up-ended the midrange market by offering a top-of-the-line SoC in a $400 to $550 (depending on the country) smartphone. — Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, "Google finally announces the Pixel 4a for $349," 3 Aug. 2020 Behind them is a towering, dark shadow of a figure, that slowly reveals itself as Pridgeon Stadium as the sun rises. — David Taylor, Houston Chronicle, "Front-line workers describe a day at the Pridgeon Stadium COVID-19 testing site in Cy-Fair," 1 Aug. 2020 In her own words, the athlete looks back at her struggle to keep her chin up in the shadow of her country’s jealous leader, Nicolae Ceausescu. — Neal Justin, Star Tribune, "9 great documentaries to feed your Olympic fever," 1 Aug. 2020 His father, Herbert Brown, inherited the business and wanted above all to be rid of the statue’s shadow. — Rebecca Tan, Washington Post, "A Confederate statue is toppled in rural Maryland, then quietly stored away," 4 July 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The grandchild of migrant farm workers who lived in South Texas but routinely traveled the country looking for work, Martinez grew up in the spirit (or shadow) of making ends meet. — Danielle Avram, Dallas News, "Artist Leslie Martinez explores Chicano heritage, queer identity in new Dallas exhibition," 7 Aug. 2020 Such questions will shadow the remainder of the campaign now that Trump has explicitly challenged a process that has unfolded on schedule through world wars, the Civil War and every existential calamity in history. — Calvin Woodward, Star Tribune, "AP FACT CHECK: Trump's election agitations and distortions," 1 Aug. 2020 Now, an astronomer has studied the 17th-century cityscape’s depiction of light and shadow to pinpoint the moment that inspired the artist down to the hour, reports Daniel Boffey for the Guardian. — Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, "Astronomy Offers Fresh Look at Vermeer’s ‘View of Delft’," 28 July 2020 This is not necessarily a bad thing: American submarines will detect and then shadow any Chinese submarine that shows up to watch the carriers. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "U.S. Sends Major Military Muscle to the South China Sea," 6 July 2020 The navy is then left with no option but to shadow the boats. — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, "The Mainstream Media Won’t Tell You This," 12 June 2020 In the second year, students shadow training officers, before returning full time for a third year focused on investigations and completing a thesis paper. — Graham Kates, CBS News, "Some U.S. police train for just a few weeks, in some countries they train for years," 10 June 2020 This sense of cosmic vastness shadowed me across the rolling farms of the Maya lowlands to La Lancha, where cheery wooden casitas hung with traditional textiles sit on a hillside so steep there's a funicular to get guests to Lake Petén Itzá below. — Julien Capmeil, Condé Nast Traveler, "In Guatemala, Eco-Retreats and Arts Collectives Blend Seamlessly with Tradition," 30 Mar. 2020 With schools closed, their 3-year-old daughter shadows them everywhere. — Matt Apuzzo, New York Times, "Covid-19’s Economic Pain Is Universal. But Relief? Depends on Where You Live.," 23 Mar. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shadow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

14 Aug 2020

Cite this Entry

“Shadow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shadow. Accessed 22 Aug. 2020.

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More Definitions for shadow

shadow

noun

English Language Learners Definition of shadow

(Entry 1 of 3)

: a dark shape that appears on a surface when someone or something moves between the surface and a source of light

: an area of darkness created when a source of light is blocked

: a very small amount of something

shadow

verb

English Language Learners Definition of shadow (Entry 2 of 3)

: to cover (something) with a shadow

: to follow and watch (someone) especially in a secret way

: to follow and watch (someone who is doing a job) in order to learn how to do the job yourself

shadow

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of shadow (Entry 3 of 3)

—used to describe the members of the main opposition party in British politics who would be given important positions in the government if their party won a national election

See the full definition for shadow in the English Language Learners Dictionary

shadow

noun

shad·ow | \ ˈsha-dō