Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   Shad·ow

   /ˈSHadō/

   

   noun

   • 1. a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface: "trees cast long shadows" Similar silhouetteoutlineshapecontourprofilepenumbraumbra
   • ▪ partial or complete darkness, especially as produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface: "the north side of the cathedral was deep in shadow" Similar shadeshadowinessdarknessgathering darknessdimnesssemidarknesstwilightgloomgloominessmurkinessmurkobscurityliterary:gloamingrare:tenebrosityumbrage
   • ▪ the shaded part of a picture.
   • ▪ a dark patch or area on a surface: "there are dark shadows beneath your eyes"
   • ▪ a region of opacity on a radiograph: "shadows on his lungs"
   • 2. used in reference to proximity, ominous oppressiveness, or sadness and gloom: "the shadow of war fell across Europe" Similar cloudblack cloudpallgloomgloominessblightthreat
   • ▪ used in reference to something insubstantial or fleeting: "a freedom that was more shadow than substance"
   • ▪ used in reference to a position of relative inferiority or obscurity: "he lived in the shadow of his father"
   • ▪ the slightest trace of something: "she knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was lying" Similar slightest bittracescrapshredcrumbparticleounceatomiotascintillajotwhitgraintittlejot or tittlestiminformal:smidgensmidgetadarchaic:scantlingscrupletracehintsuggestionsuspicionghostglimmerflicker
   • ▪ a weak or inferior remnant or version of something: "this fine-looking, commanding man had become a shadow of his former self" Similar inferior versionpoor imitationapologytravestyghostspecterphantomremnant
   • ▪ an expression of perplexity or sadness: "a shadow crossed Maria's face"
   • 3. an inseparable attendant or companion: "her faithful shadow, a Yorkshire terrier called Heathcliffe" Similar constant companioninseparable companionalter egosecond selfSiamese twinclose friendbosom friendintimateinformal:bosom palrare:fidus Achates
   • ▪ a person secretly following and observing another: "no matter where Johnson went, his shadow stayed with him" Similar followerinformal:tail
   • ▪ a person who accompanies someone in their daily activities at work in order to gain experience at or insight into a job.
   • ▪ the opposition counterpart of a government minister: British "the shadow Chancellor"
   • 4. short for eyeshadow

   verb

   • 1. envelop in shadow; cast a shadow over: "the market is shadowed by St. Margaret's church" Similar overshadowcast a shadow overenvelop in shadowshadeblock off the light todarkendim
   • 2. follow and observe (someone) closely and secretly: "he had been up all night shadowing a team of poachers" Similar followtrailtrackdog someone's footstepskeep watch onstalkpursuehuntinformal:tailkeep tabs onkeep a tab on
   • ▪ (of an opposition politician) be the counterpart of (a government minister or a ministry): British "he formerly helped to shadow the Foreign Office"
   • ▪ accompany (someone) in their daily activities at work in order to gain experience at or insight into a job: "the placement might involve shadowing a manager"

   Word Origin Old Englishscead(u)we (noun), oblique case of sceadu (see shade), sceadwian ‘screen or shield from attack’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch schaduw and German Schatten (nouns), from an Indo-European root shared by Greek skotos ‘darkness’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. shadower noun
   • 2. shadowless adjective

   Scrabble Points: 13

   • S

     1

   • H

     4

   • A

     1

   • D

     2

   • O

     1

   • W

     4

   Powered by Oxford Languages

   More Definitions, Word Origin & ScrabbleShow less