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 of shadowy

• 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

No other spacecraft has ever descended into the moon’s shadowy south polar craters, although NASA did crash a rocket into one in 2009 and watched a resultant plume of water vapor burst out. — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026

The hit series created by Taylor Sheridan focuses on the shadowy world of black operations in the CIA and the military. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

After playing a shadowy superspy on GH, Oliver’s role on the Peacock soap looks to be decidedly less glamorous — though potentially just as pivotal. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

The plot centers on a family sealed inside their home by a shadowy force that can control the rain. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026

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