overshadow
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to make someone or something seem less important or successful because you are much better or more famous.
to surpass or eclipse in importance, success, or reputation, thereby making the other party appear insignificant by comparison.
Simple“The younger sister's success in sports began to overshadow her brother's academic achievements.”
In context“The news of the sudden economic crisis completely overshadowed the prime minister's announcement regarding the new environmental policy.”
UsageThis is the most common figurative use, typically taking a person or an event as the direct object.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to block the light and cast a shadow over a place or object.
to cast a shadow over an area or object, physically obscuring it from light.
Simple“The tall skyscrapers overshadow the small park, keeping it in the dark all afternoon.”
In context“A massive oak tree overshadowed the cottage, providing a cool refuge during the peak of the summer heat.”
Antonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
to make a situation less happy by adding a feeling of sadness or worry.
to cast a gloom over a situation or event; to mar an occasion with negative associations or anxiety.
Simple“The memory of the accident continued to overshadow their family gatherings for years.”
In context“The threat of impending layoffs overshadowed the annual holiday party, leaving the staff unable to truly celebrate their recent wins.”
“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.”
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.