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
b
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
Storrie then answers the door amid a sudden rainstorm to reveal a shadowy figure approaching in a raincoat.
—
Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
Global Risk Advisors had been a shadowy operation.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
The phishing emails underscore the threat of DarkSword, an attack that was originally used by a handful of shadowy groups for cyberespionage and cybercrime.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
Most identity theft stories start with a shadowy hacker or a data breach.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shadowy
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Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
Global Risk Advisors had been a shadowy operation.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
The phishing emails underscore the threat of DarkSword, an attack that was originally used by a handful of shadowy groups for cyberespionage and cybercrime.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
Most identity theft stories start with a shadowy hacker or a data breach.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shadowy
Cite this Entry
“Shadowy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shadowy. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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