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

• 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

Two veteran data journalists are launching a new investigative publication to cover rising authoritarianism from the shadowy corners of the internet. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025

Over the years, guests have reported hearing piano music coming from empty rooms or hallways, cold spots, doors that move by themselves, ghostly children, shadowy figures, and more. —Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025

Pfister Hotel — Wisconsin Built in 1893, Milwaukee’s Pfister Hotel has long been linked to flickering lights, strange noises and shadowy figures said to haunt its ornate halls. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025

Their latest series is on the shadowy organization meant to monitor the supernatural. —Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025

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