shadow
gb/ʃˈædoʊ/ us/ʃˈædoʊ/
A2
English
~ 2200
árnyék, követ, megfigyel, munkakövetést végez, munkakövetésen részt vesz
NOUN
A2
1
árnyék
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] casts a shadow [on/over] [something]
The tree cast a long shadow across the yard.
A fa hosszú árnyékot vetett az udvarra.
Her shadow stretched out in front of her in the morning sun.
A reggeli napfényben az árnyéka hosszan előrenyúlt.
I saw the shadow of a bird pass over the window.
Learner examples
The cat sat in the shadow of the wall.
A macska a fal árnyékában ült.
My shadow is short at noon.
Délben rövid az árnyékom.
There is a shadow on the ground.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'shadow' with 'shade'; 'shade' refers to the area of reduced light, while 'shadow' is the specific shape caused by an object blocking light.
Meaning
Dark shape caused by blocked light
Collocations
cast a shadow
|in the shadow of
|long shadow
|dark shadow
Synonyms
silhouette (Refers to the outline of an object, usually against light, not necessarily the full shaded area.)
Antonyms
light (Light is the opposite of the darkness that forms a shadow.)
Themes
nature
|daily life
|vision
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A dark shape made when something stops the light.
A dark area or shape produced on a surface when something blocks light from reaching it.
NOUN
B1
2
árnyék
A2
Usage pattern:
in/into/out of the shadow(s)
He waited in the shadows until everyone left.
Az árnyékban várt, amíg mindenki elment.
The cool shadows under the bridge were inviting on a hot day.
A híd alatti hűvös árnyék csábító volt egy forró napon.
A figure emerged from the shadows.
Learner examples
The dog sleeps in the shadows.
A kutya az árnyékban alszik.
I saw a man in the shadows.
Láttam egy férfit az árnyékban.
We sat in the shadows to stay cool.
Common mistake:
Confusing 'shadow' (specific darkness caused by an object) with 'darkness' (absence of light in general).
Meaning
Area of darkness from blocked light
Collocations
stand in the shadows
|hide in the shadows
|deep shadows
Synonyms
shade (Shade often refers to cooler, darker areas away from sunlight; not always the distinct shape of a shadow.)
Antonyms
sunlight (Represents bright, direct light, opposite to shadow as darkness.)
Themes
nature
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A place that is darker because something is stopping the light.
An area sheltered from direct light, especially sunlight, because it is blocked by something.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to shadow [someone]
The detective was assigned to shadow the suspect.
A nyomozót azzal bízták meg, hogy kövesse a gyanúsítottat.
Bodyguards shadowed the celebrity throughout her visit.
A testőrök a látogatása alatt végig követték a hírességet.
Journalists shadowed the politician during his campaign.
Learner examples
The police shadowed the thief.
A rendőrök követték a tolvajt.
A guard will shadow the president.
Egy őr végig követni fogja az elnököt.
The man was shadowed by a spy.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'shadow' here with physical shadows; this meaning is metaphorical and about following.
Meaning
Follow someone secretly
Collocations
shadow a suspect
|shadow an opponent
|police shadowed him
Synonyms
tail (Informal term used especially in police or spy contexts for following someone.)
Antonyms
ignore (To deliberately not follow or pay attention to someone.)
Themes
crime
|security
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To follow someone quietly without them knowing.
To follow and watch someone secretly, often for protection or surveillance.
VERB
B1
4
Usage pattern:
to shadow [someone] [at work/in their job]
She will shadow a senior nurse for two weeks before starting her own shifts.
Két hétig egy tapasztalt nővér mellett fog munkakövetést végezni, mielőtt elkezdené a saját műszakjait.
Students can shadow professionals to explore career options.
A diákok szakemberek mellett végezhetnek munkakövetést, hogy pályalehetőségeket fedezzenek fel.
I spent a day shadowing my friend at his office.
Learner examples
I will shadow a chef to learn cooking.
Egy séf mellett fogok munkakövetést végezni, hogy megtanuljak főzni.
He shadows a doctor at the hospital.
A kórházban egy orvos mellett végez munkakövetést.
We can shadow a teacher for one day.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'follow secretly'; here it is done openly and for learning purposes.
Meaning
Observe someone at work to learn
Collocations
shadow a teacher
|shadow a nurse
|job shadowing
Synonyms
observe (More general; does not imply close, continuous presence for learning.)
Antonyms
participate (To actively take part rather than just observe.)
Themes
education
|work
Definition
To follow someone at work to learn what they do.
To accompany and observe someone closely while they work in order to learn their skills or job.
NOUN
B2
5
árnyék
B2
The shadow of war loomed over the country.
A háború árnyéka ott lebegett az ország felett.
His past cast a long shadow over his career.
A múltja hosszú árnyékot vetett a karrierjére.
A shadow hung over the celebration after the news broke.
Learner examples
The shadow of war is near.
A háború árnyéka közel van.
Bad news cast a shadow over the party.
A rossz hír árnyékot vetett a bulira.
A dark shadow was over his life.
Meaning
Symbolic dark figure of threat or fear
Collocations
a shadow hangs over [something]
|under the shadow of war
Synonyms
omen (Specifically refers to a sign of future events, often negative, rather than a constant looming presence.)
Antonyms
hope (Represents positive expectation, opposite to looming threat or fear.)
Themes
emotions
|literature
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something dark that means danger or bad things might happen.
A dark image or figure that represents a threat, danger, or negative influence, often used metaphorically.
Grammar
Dictionary form
shadow
IPA
GB/ʃˈædoʊ/
US/ʃˈædoʊ/
Syllables & stress
shad - ow (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (shad)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: shadow
- Plural: shadow, shadows
Verb
- Base: shadow
- 3rd Person Singular: shadows
- Present Participle: shadowing
- Past: shadowed
Word family
Forms
shadows
noun
shadowing
verb
shadowed
verb
Core family
shadowy
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
overshadow
verb C1
foreshadow
verb
Expressions
a shadow of one's former self
1/ə ʃˈædoʊ əv wˈʌnz fˈɔɹmɚ sˈɛlf/
idiom
Much weaker or less capable than before
When someone is much weaker, less healthy, or less confident than they were before.
Examples
- 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
1/kˈæst ə ʃˈædoʊ ˈoʊvɚən sˈʌmθɪŋ/
idiom
Cause sadness or trouble for an event
To make something less happy or good because of something sad or bad.
Examples
- The scandal cast a shadow over his achievements.
- Her illness cast a shadow on their wedding day.
in someone's shadow
1/ˈɪn sˈʌmwˌʌnz ʃˈædoʊ/
idiom
Be less noticed than another person
To not get much attention because someone else is more important or famous.
Examples
- He has always lived in his brother's shadow.
- She felt she was in her colleague’s shadow at work.
job shadowing
1/d͡ʒˈɑb ʃˈædoʊɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Observing work for learning purposes
Spending time watching someone at work to learn what they do.
Examples
- Job shadowing can help students choose careers.
- I learned about engineering through job shadowing.
shadow of a doubt
1/ʃˈædoʊ əv ə dˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
Very small amount of doubt exists
A very small amount of doubt about something being true or real.
Examples
- There isn't a shadow of a doubt that he is guilty.
- I believe her story without a shadow of a doubt.