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

• blear
• bleary
• blurry
• dim
• faint
• foggy
• fuzzy
• gauzy
• hazy
• indefinite
• indistinct
• indistinguishable
• misty
• murky
• nebulous
• obscure
• opaque
• pale
• unclear
• undefined
• undetermined
• vague

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

The through-line were sounds that leaned toward the smoldering and idiosyncratic — from his use of achingly passionate songs of heartbreak by Roy Orbison and Chris Isaak to his own shadowy recordings with modern torch singers Julee Cruise and Chrystabell. —Steve Appleford, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025

Mexico has broken up migrant caravans and expanded a shadowy busing program that has transported thousands of migrants from the country’s northern border to sites deep in its south. —Simon Romero, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025

During your 20s, when the face is at its fullest and healthiest, it has been argued that a shadowy gaze can even be quite charming. —Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2025

Featured in the image are the rims of Prokofiev, Kandinsky, Tolkien and Gordimer, as well as their shadowy depths. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2025

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