shadow
n. C / Un. a dark shape that appears on a surface when something blocks the light. You can also use it to describe a dark area where there is no direct light.
n. a dark area or shape produced by an object coming between rays of light and a surface. Often used metaphorically in political or psychological contexts to describe a secondary, hidden, or following presence.
The tall tree casts a long shadow across the grass.
The child spent the afternoon chasing her own shadow on the pavement.
The candidate struggled to emerge from the shadow of her predecessor, whose long and influential career still dominated the party's internal policy discussions.
Countable when referring to a specific shape; uncountable when referring to general darkness or a state of gloom.