noun
shadowing
SHA-doh-ihng
Shadowing (noun) means the act of secretly following and watching someone, keeping them under close observation. Example: “The detective spent three days shadowing the suspect before making an arrest.”
noun
1
The act of secretly following and watching someone, keeping them under close observation.
"The detective spent three days shadowing the suspect before making an arrest."
"She noticed a stranger shadowing her on the walk home."
2
A period of following a professional through their working day to learn about a job first-hand.
"The student spent a week shadowing a surgeon as part of her career research."
3
The effect of one thing blocking or dimming another, such as light or a signal.
"Tall buildings can cause shadowing that weakens mobile phone reception."
How to use shadowing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishClosely following or observing someone or something, whether for surveillance or to learn from them.
Common pairings
job shadowing
shadowing a suspect
signal shadowing
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Word forms
- Plural
- shadowings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The detective spent three days _____ the suspect before making an arrest.
Etymology
From "shadow" used as a verb, plus the "-ing" ending that turns actions into nouns.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for shadowing
See all rhymes for shadowing →Frequently asked questions
What does “shadowing” mean?
The word “shadowing” means the act of secretly following and watching someone, keeping them under close observation. In plain terms, closely following or observing someone or something, whether for surveillance or to learn from them.
How do you pronounce “shadowing”?
“Shadowing” is pronounced SHA-doh-ihng (/ʃædoʊɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “shadowing” in a sentence?
Here is “shadowing” used in a sentence: “The detective spent three days shadowing the suspect before making an arrest.”
What part of speech is “shadowing”?
“Shadowing” is a noun.
How many meanings does “shadowing” have?
“Shadowing” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of secretly following and watching someone, keeping them under close observation.
