Definition

Having a lot of darkness or shade; not clear or distinct.

Example

The shadowy figure moved silently through the night.

Conversation

Did you see that shadowy figure by the tree last night?

Yeah, I noticed it too; it was really eerie.

I wonder what it was doing there in such a shadowy spot.

Maybe it was just an animal, but it did give me the creeps.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Shadowy → It is formed from "shadow" (from Old English *sceadu*, meaning shade or darkness) and "-y" (a suffix used to form adjectives indicating a characteristic). The word "shadowy" describes something that has the quality of being like a shadow, often implying darkness or obscurity.

Memory Tip

Think of the Old English word for shade or darkness, 'shadow', and remember that 'shadowy' means having the characteristics of a shadow, often suggesting something dark or unclear.

Visually Confused Words