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.
While out on the boat, the fishermen spotted a shadowy sea creature off one end of the boat and recognized it as a whale shark, officials said. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025 Fanning’s glam featured some edgy glamour elements as well, including shadowy eyes and a faint red lip by makeup artist Wendy Rowe. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025 Not the beautiful, shadowy doom that Montgomery Clift brought to the screen, for instance, or the troubled, mischievous sharpness that Jeffrey Wright and Regina Hall lend to their work, but something as warming as sunshine and just as seductive. Hilton Als, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025 Guests at The Borland House Bed & Breakfast in Montgomery have reported footsteps, flickering TVs, and shadowy figures while staying at the 1780s home. Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 11 Oct. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shadowy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shadowy. Accessed 24 Oct. 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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