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Definition of shadowy

shadowy

/ˈʃæd.oʊ.i/
shad · ow · y
Adverb:shadowily
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shadowy Lexical Profile

shadowy Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Full of shadows; poorly lit, dim, or dark.

Example

"They walked cautiously down the shadowy corridor of the ancient castle."

2

Vague, indistinct, or lacking clear form and substance.

Example

"Through the thick morning fog, the fishermen could only make out the shadowy outlines of the coastal cliffs."

3

Mysterious, secretive, and little known, especially concerning someone's identity, background, or operations.

Example

"The investigative journalist spent months tracking the financial dealings of a shadowy corporate syndicate."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

shadowing
shadowless
shadowlike
shadowy
shady
shaft
shafting

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English schadowy, formed from the noun shadow (from Old English sceadwe, an oblique stem of sceadu meaning 'shade' or 'darkness') plus the adjective-forming suffix -y.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Shadowy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/shadowy
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