shadow

Pronunciation

• enPR: shăd'ō, IPA ^(key): /ˈʃædəʊ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular shadow

Plural shadows

1. (countable) A shadow is the dark area that is made when something blocks light, and that is shaped like the thing blocking the light.

   I saw your shadow against the wall.

   The shadows got long as the sun set.

2. (uncountable) The darkness in a shadow.

   The room filled with shadow as the night came.

Verb

Plain form shadow

Third-person singular shadows

Past tense shadowed

Past participle shadowed

Present participle shadowing

1. (transitive) If you shadow someone, you follow them closely without their knowing it.
   • Synonym: follow

   The detective shadowed the thief.

2. (transitive & intransitive) If something is being shadowed, it is being covered in shadow or made dark.
   • Synonym: shade

   The curtains shadowed the room.

3. (transitive) If you shadow someone, you accompany them when they are working so as to learn about an occupation you intend to take up.

Adjective

Positive shadow

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. (politics) A shadow politician is someone who is the counterpart of minister or a ministry.