shadow
Dark shape caused by blocked light
A dark shape made when something stops the light.
[something] casts a shadow [on/over] [something]
- The tree cast a long shadow across the yard.
- Her shadow stretched out in front of her in the morning sun.
- I saw the shadow of a bird pass over the window.
- The cat sat in the shadow of the wall.
- My shadow is short at noon.
- There is a shadow on the ground.
Area of darkness from blocked light
A place that is darker because something is stopping the light.
in/into/out of the shadow(s)
- He waited in the shadows until everyone left.
- The cool shadows under the bridge were inviting on a hot day.
- A figure emerged from the shadows.
- The dog sleeps in the shadows.
- I saw a man in the shadows.
- We sat in the shadows to stay cool.
Follow someone secretly
To follow someone quietly without them knowing.
to shadow [someone]
- The detective was assigned to shadow the suspect.
- Bodyguards shadowed the celebrity throughout her visit.
- Journalists shadowed the politician during his campaign.
- The police shadowed the thief.
- A guard will shadow the president.
- The man was shadowed by a spy.
Observe someone at work to learn
To follow someone at work to learn what they do.
to shadow [someone] [at work/in their job]
- She will shadow a senior nurse for two weeks before starting her own shifts.
- Students can shadow professionals to explore career options.
- I spent a day shadowing my friend at his office.
- I will shadow a chef to learn cooking.
- He shadows a doctor at the hospital.
- We can shadow a teacher for one day.
Symbolic dark figure of threat or fear
Something dark that means danger or bad things might happen.
- The shadow of war loomed over the country.
- His past cast a long shadow over his career.
- A shadow hung over the celebration after the news broke.
- The shadow of war is near.
- Bad news cast a shadow over the party.
- A dark shadow was over his life.
- Base: shadow
- Plural: shadow, shadows
- Base: shadow
- 3rd Person Singular: shadows
- Present Participle: shadowing
- Past: shadowed
a shadow of one's former self
1Much weaker or less capable than before
When someone is much weaker, less healthy, or less confident than they were before.
- After his illness, he was just a shadow of his former self.
- The team is now only a shadow of its former self.
cast a shadow over/on something
1Cause sadness or trouble for an event
To make something less happy or good because of something sad or bad.
- The scandal cast a shadow over his achievements.
- Her illness cast a shadow on their wedding day.
in someone's shadow
1Be less noticed than another person
To not get much attention because someone else is more important or famous.
- He has always lived in his brother's shadow.
- She felt she was in her colleague’s shadow at work.
job shadowing
1Observing work for learning purposes
Spending time watching someone at work to learn what they do.
- Job shadowing can help students choose careers.
- I learned about engineering through job shadowing.
shadow of a doubt
1Very small amount of doubt exists
A very small amount of doubt about something being true or real.
- There isn't a shadow of a doubt that he is guilty.
- I believe her story without a shadow of a doubt.