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

The coming days will see the moon’s shadowy terminator creep across its surface, heralding the onset of its waning gibbous phase. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 11 July 2025

Shady origins and shadowy corporate machinations that built the titular amusement park? —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 3 July 2025

Visual concealment — usually achieved with a camouflage pattern and by sticking to shadowy kelp for cover — is just one thing spearfishermen have to keep in mind when chasing white seabass. —Mike Raabe, Outdoor Life, 2 July 2025

The shadowy views of 300 species of trees tinted with an orange-red sky is worth the price of admission alone. —David Weiss, Forbes.com, 27 June 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