shadowy
8 synonyms and 3 antonyms for shadowy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Dim, dark, or full of shadows.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Dim, dark, or full of shadows.
“A shadowy figure waited at the end of the alley.”
Opposites
2. adjective
Vague, secretive, or hard to pin down; suspicious in an unclear way.
“The report accused a shadowy organization of funding the campaign.”
Opposites
How to use shadowy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a shadowy figure
shadowy past
shadowy organization
Etymology
From Middle English schadwy, built from "shadow" plus "-y".
Full origin of shadowy →Frequently asked questions
What does “shadowy” mean?
The word “shadowy” means dim, dark, or full of shadows. In plain terms, either literally dim and shadow-filled, or figuratively mysterious and secretive.
How do you pronounce “shadowy”?
“Shadowy” is pronounced SHAD-oh-ee (/ˈʃæd.oʊ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “shadowy” in a sentence?
Here is “shadowy” used in a sentence: “A shadowy figure waited at the end of the alley.”
What part of speech is “shadowy”?
“Shadowy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “shadowy” come from?
The word “shadowy” comes from Middle English. From Middle English schadwy, built from "shadow" plus "-y".
How many meanings does “shadowy” have?
“Shadowy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: dim, dark, or full of shadows.
