shadowy

adjective

shad·​owy ˈsha-dō-ē How to pronounce shadowy (audio)
-də-wē
Synonyms of shadowynext
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.
Yet Tillman, like many other conservatives, attributes decades of frustration to shadowy forces. Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026 Meanwhile, back at the art show, a shadowy figure is spotted watching Ava from afar. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026 This is the kind of elaborate plot that Taylor relishes for his perennial hero, Pike Logan, leader of the shadowy Taskforce. Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026 Fundamentally, one analyst said, a Factbook assembled by a government agency with secret agendas and shadowy methods might never have been unbiased in the first place. Laurie Kellman, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026 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 12 Apr. 2026.

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

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