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

Whereas New York delivered practicality, London tapped into its punk roots and Milan served directional trends made for the runway, Paris offered leaned heavily on avant-garde silhouettes, textures and shadowy contrasts. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2025

The Oversight Project suggested that Biden might not have signed these documents, alluding to a shadowy presence behind the former president. —William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025

As with the shadowy Saudi program, satellite imagery showed Egypt invested in further developing a facility housing its Scuds. —Paul Iddon, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

Dugin apparently believes in this notion, but, on a practical level, the party, with minimal membership and no seats in parliament, may have been a front for a more shadowy political group led by Dugin: the International Eurasian Movement. —James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 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