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shadow

/ˈʃædoʊ̯/noun, verb2 syllables

Shadow means: something existing in perception only.

Synonyms for shadow16

noun, as in something existing in perception only

apparition, phantom, phantasm, phantasma, fantasm

noun, as in an indication that something has been present

trace, vestige, tincture

noun, as in an unilluminated area

noun, as in a spy employed to follow someone and report their movements

tail, shadower

verb, as in cast a shadow over

shade, shade off

verb, as in make appear small by comparison

overshadow, dwarf

What does shadow mean?12

noun

1

something existing in perception only“a ghostly apparition at midnight”

2

an indication that something has been present“there wasn't a trace of evidence for the claim”

3

an unilluminated area“he moved off into the darkness”

4

a spy employed to follow someone and report their movements

5

shade within clear boundaries

6

a premonition of something adverse“a shadow over his happiness”

7

refuge from danger or observation“he felt secure in his father's shadow”

8

a dominating and pervasive presence“he received little recognition working in the shadow of his father”

9

an inseparable companion“the poor child was his mother's shadow”

verb

1

cast a shadow over

2

make appear small by comparison“This year's debt dwarfs that of last year”

3

follow, usually without the person's knowledge“The police are shadowing her”

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Shadow in a sentence

  • I believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that she is innocent.ghoti
  • Where there is light, there must be shadow.eternica
  • Beyond the shadow of a doubt, this is the best.AlanF_US
  • Evil exists, but not without good, as shadow exists, but not without light.carlosalberto
  • Where there is light, there is also shadow.OsoHombre
  • Are the shadow people afraid of us, too?shekitten
  • At the same moment, a man stepped out from the shadow of a tree.Hybrid
  • Misfortune accompanies me, it follows me like my shadow.hakimdif

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.

Forms of shadow

as a noun

plural
shadows

as a verb

past tense
shadowed
present participle
shadowing
third-person singular
shadows
past participle
shadowed