Word
shadowy
Phoneticsshad·owy
US/ˈʃædoʊi/
UK/ʃˈædəʊi/
Definition
adj. full of shadows or dark. You can also use it to describe people or groups that are mysterious and keep their activities secret.
adj. characterised by darkness or gloom; lacking clear definition. Often used figuratively to describe individuals or organisations that operate in secrecy or outside of public scrutiny.
Examples
“A shadowy figure stood at the end of the dark hallway.”
“The investigation revealed that a shadowy group of investors had been controlling the company's decisions from behind the scenes.”
“The novel is set in the shadowy underworld of 1940s espionage, where loyalties are fluid and every character seems to be hiding a dangerous secret.”
Examples
simple
“A shadowy figure stood at the end of the dark hallway.”
contextual
“The investigation revealed that a shadowy group of investors had been controlling the company's decisions from behind the scenes.”
complex
“The novel is set in the shadowy underworld of 1940s espionage, where loyalties are fluid and every character seems to be hiding a dangerous secret.”
Usage
Often used both literally to describe lighting and figuratively to describe a lack of transparency.
Real-World Examples
“She is one of thousands deported from the US on the back of shadowy deals made with dozens of countries.” “Finally, we saw a shadowy figure fly out of the trees.” Etymology
From Middle English schadwy, schadowy, equivalent to shadow + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/shadowy