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.
Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation Rogue Nation set up what these films sorely lacked up until this point: a recurring villain in the shadowy Syndicate that could serve as a viable foil to Ethan Hunt’s IMF, the SPECTRE to his MI6. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 23 May 2025 The Netflix series is the latest screen adaptation of Brown’s novels featuring Langdon, a Harvard symbologist frequently drawn into international intrigue and shadowy conspiracies. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025 Conspiracy theories tap into this curiosity, suggesting shadowy forces and concealed agendas behind daily events. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025 So does the cinematography, which captures the shadowy grit of Chinatown during a cold, rainy 22-day shoot. Gregg Goldstein, Variety, 17 May 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Shadowy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shadowy. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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