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

Since then, at least five more shadowy spots have peppered Neptune’s face. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024

Challengers assume these errors are not routine discrepancies but evidence of systematic voter fraud and a shadowy plot to foil the presidential election. —Caroline Haskins, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024

Scott Free’s instantly recognizable, watercolor-style vanity card — depicting a shadowy figure pacing and smoking before turning into a bird — was made by Italian artist Gianluigi Toccafondo. —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024

Berger mounts whispered conversations in shadowy hallways, deploys slow-motion sequences backed up by an operatic score, and builds striking tableaus of cardinals warily eyeing one another—elements that are then deliberately paired with hammy, self-aware dialogue. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024

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