Shadow Definition & Meaning

shadow
noun
  1. shade within clear boundaries
  2. an unilluminated area; "he moved off into the darkness"
  3. something existing in perception only; "a ghostly apparition at midnight"
  4. a premonition of something adverse; "a shadow over his happiness"
  5. an indication that something has been present; "there wasn't a trace of evidence for the claim"; "a tincture of condescension"
  6. refuge from danger or observation; "he felt secure in his father's shadow"
  7. a dominating and pervasive presence; "he received little recognition working in the shadow of his father"
  8. a spy employed to follow someone and report their movements
  9. an inseparable companion; "the poor child was his mother's shadow"
verb
  1. follow, usually without the person's knowledge; "The police are shadowing her"
  2. cast a shadow over
  3. make appear small by comparison; "This year's debt dwarfs that of last year"

Synonyms for shadow

apparition noun

a ghostly appearing figure; "we were unprepared for the apparition that confronted us" the appearance of a ghostlike

♫ Rhymes
dark adj

devoid of or deficient in light or brightness; shadowed or black; "sitting in a dark corner"; "a dark day

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
darkness noun

absence of light or illumination an unilluminated area

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
dwarf noun

a person who is markedly small a legendary creature resembling a tiny old man

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
overshadow verb

be greater in significance than; "the tragedy overshadowed the couple's happiness" make appear small by comparison

♫ Rhymes
phantom adj

something apparently sensed but having no physical reality; "seemed to hear faint phantom bells

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
shade noun

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body; "it is much cooler in the shade

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
tail noun

the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
trace noun

a just detectable amount; "he speaks French with a trace of an accent" an indication that something has been present

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
vestige noun

an indication that something has been present; "there wasn't a trace of evidence for the claim

♫ Rhymes

"Shadow" in song lyrics

See how shadow is used in real songs:

  • "and the darkness casts no shadow"
    Aceyalone — Mic Check
  • "Above alkadiene Townsman spoon-fed the shadow"
    Aesop Rock — Sick Friend
  • "I bite the bullet in a wingspan shadow"
    Aesop Rock — Coma

Words that rhyme with shadow

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Usage tips for "shadow"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "shadow" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for shadow to find words that pair well.

Use "shadow" in a verse

Now that you know what "shadow" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

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♫ Rhymes with shadow ↔ Synonyms for shadow 🔬 Words containing shadow

Frequently asked questions

What does shadow mean?
shade within clear boundaries an unilluminated area; "he moved off into the darkness" something existing in perception only; "a ghostly apparition at midnight" a premonition of something adverse; "a shadow over his happiness" an indication that something has been present; "there wasn't a trace of evidence for the claim"; "a tincture of condescension" refuge from danger or observation; "he felt secure in his father's shadow" a dominating and pervasive presence
What part of speech is shadow?
Shadow is a noun and a verb.
How many definitions does shadow have?
Shadow has 12 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).

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