Shadow
/ˈʃædəʊ/
Last Updated: January 2, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Definition of Shadow
noun
- A dark image projected onto a surface where light (or other radiation) is blocked by the shade of an object.
"My shadow lengthened as the sun began to set."
- Relative darkness, especially as caused by the interruption of light; gloom, obscurity.
"I immediately jumped into shadow as I saw them approach."
- A area protected by an obstacle (likened to an object blocking out sunlight).
"The mountains block the passage of rain-producing weather systems and cast a "shadow" of dryness behind them."
- A reflected image, as in a mirror or in water.
- That which looms as though a shadow.
"I don't have a shadow of doubt in my mind that my plan will succeed. The shadow of fear of my being outed always affects how I live my life. I lived in her shadow my whole life."
verb
- To shade, cloud or darken.
"The artist chose to shadow this corner of the painting."
- To block light or radio transmission from.
"Looks like that cloud's going to shadow us."
- To secretly or discreetly track or follow another, to keep under surveillance.
- To represent faintly and imperfectly.
- To hide; to conceal.
adjective
- Unofficial, informal, unauthorized, but acting as though it were.
"The human resources department has a shadow information technology group without headquarters knowledge."
- Having power or influence, but not widely known or recognized.
"The director has been giving shadow leadership to the other group's project to ensure its success."
- Acting in a leadership role before being formally recognized.
"The insurgents’ shadow government is being crippled by the federal military strikes."
- Part of, or related to, the opposition in government.
Anagrams of Shadow
Words You Can Make
50 words can be made from the letters in "shadow":