shadowbox

1 of 2

verb

shad·​ow·​box ˈsha-dō-ˌbäks 

-də-ˌbäks

shadowboxed; shadowboxing; shadowboxes

intransitive verb

: to box with an imaginary opponent especially as a form of training

shadow box

2 of 2

noun

: a shallow enclosing case usually with a glass front in which something is set for protection and display

Examples of shadowbox in a Sentence

Verb

He was shadowboxing to stay in shape.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Vie finds Doja’s typically unorthodox vocals shadowboxing with the showy melisma of the classics. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025

The public has no understanding of how the algorithms really work—they’re company secrets—so participants are constantly shadowboxing the machine, turning conversation into a constant A/B test to see what catches on. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025

Noun

Build a Shadow Box One simple and inexpensive way to display a variety of sentimental objects, especially by a specific event, is to place them in a shadow box. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Dec. 2025

Some stalls leaned into gothic and horror themes — creepy dolls, crocheted bats and taxidermy shadow boxes — while others were more classic fare, selling plastic pumpkins, ghosts and skulls. —Sonia Mankame, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1924, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1891, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shadowbox

• aftershocks
• chatterbox
• equinox
• goldilocks
• hollyhocks
• interlocks
• orthodox
• paradox
• tomahawks
• balks
• blocks
• blocs

Kids Definition

shadowbox

verb

shad·​ow·​box ˈshad-ō-ˌbäks 

: to box with an imaginary opponent as a form of training