adjective
B1
Intermediate
shadowy
SHAD-oh-ee
Shadowy (adjective) means Dim, dark, or full of shadows. Example: “A shadowy figure waited at the end of the alley.”
adjective
1
Dim, dark, or full of shadows.
"A shadowy figure waited at the end of the alley."
"The old library had shadowy corners perfect for hiding."
2
Vague, secretive, or hard to pin down; suspicious in an unclear way.
"The report accused a shadowy organization of funding the campaign."
How to use shadowy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither literally dim and shadow-filled, or figuratively mysterious and secretive.
Common pairings
a shadowy figure
shadowy past
shadowy organization
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Word forms
- Comparative
- shadowier
- Superlative
- shadowiest
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A _____ figure waited at the end of the alley.
Etymology
From Middle English schadwy, built from "shadow" plus "-y".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for shadowy
See all rhymes for 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.
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