Word
overshadow
Phoneticsover·shad·ow
US/ˈoʊvɝˈʃædoʊ/
UK/ˌəʊvəʃˈædəʊ/
Definitions
01to make less significant
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make someone or something seem less important or successful because you are much better or more famous.
v. to surpass or eclipse in importance, success, or reputation, thereby making the other party appear insignificant by comparison.
“The younger sister's success in sports began to overshadow her brother's academic achievements.”
“The news of the sudden economic crisis completely overshadowed the prime minister's announcement regarding the new environmental policy.”
02to cast a shadow
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to block the light and cast a shadow over a place or object.
v. to cast a shadow over an area or object, physically obscuring it from light.
“The tall skyscrapers overshadow the small park, keeping it in the dark all afternoon.”
“A massive oak tree overshadowed the cottage, providing a cool refuge during the peak of the summer heat.”
Antonyms
03to make sad or worried
C1 · Advanced Literary
v. to make a situation less happy by adding a feeling of sadness or worry.
v. to cast a gloom over a situation or event; to mar an occasion with negative associations or anxiety.
“The memory of the accident continued to overshadow their family gatherings for years.”
“The threat of impending layoffs overshadowed the annual holiday party, leaving the staff unable to truly celebrate their recent wins.”
Real-World Examples
“The false narrative I’d created of embarrassing myself socially had begun to completely overshadow my desire to be around other people.” “Nicole Kidman has opened up about her divorce from Keith Urban and reflected on her marriage to Tom Cruise, saying she was warned being his wife would overshadow her career.” Etymology
From Middle English overschadwen, overschadewe, from Old English ofersċeadwian (“to overshadow”), equivalent to over- + shadow. Compare with West Frisian oerskaduwe (“to overshadow”), Dutch overschaduwen (“to overshadow”), German überschatten (“to overshadow”), Gothic 𐌿𐍆𐌰𐍂𐍃𐌺𐌰𐌳𐍅𐌾𐌰𐌽 (ufarskadwjan, “to overshadow”), and more distantly, Old Norse yfirskyggja (“to overshadow”), Danish overskygge (“to overshadow”), Swedish överskugga (“to overshadow”), Old English ofersċūwan (“to overshadow”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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