shadow

A dark shape on a surface made when someone or something blocks the light.

• My shadow is on the wall.
• The trees cast long shadows across the road.
• Why does your shadow move when you move?

Similar words: silhouette

Common phrases: cast a shadow, long shadow, shadow on something

Darkness in a place where little light reaches.

• His face was in shadow.
• The room filled with shadow after sunset.
• Deep shadows hid the far end of the hall.

Similar words: darkness, gloom

Opposites: light

Common phrases: in shadow, deep shadow, shadow and light, shadow beneath something

An area where an obstacle blocks something, such as rain or radio signals.

• The valley lies in a rain shadow.
• The mountains create a rain shadow to the east.
• The receiver stopped working in the tower’s radio shadow.

Common phrases: rain shadow, radio shadow, shadow zone

In an opposing political party, with responsibility for following and challenging a particular government minister’s work.

• The shadow minister criticized the plan.
• She joined the shadow cabinet last year.
• The shadow chancellor proposed a different tax policy.

Common phrases: shadow minister, shadow cabinet, shadow chancellor

Working like an official organization or system without formal approval.

• They created a shadow IT team.
• A shadow economy operates outside official controls.
• The audit found several shadow systems within the company.

Similar words: unofficial, unauthorized

Opposites: official

Common phrases: shadow organization, shadow system, shadow economy

Having power or influence without being publicly known or recognized.

• He became the company’s shadow leader.
• A shadow ruler made the important decisions.
• Her shadow leadership shaped the project without attracting attention.

Similar words: behind-the-scenes, hidden

Common phrases: shadow leader, shadow leadership, shadow ruler

To follow someone at work so you can learn how they do their job.

• I will shadow a nurse tomorrow.
• She shadowed the manager for a week.
• Can students shadow staff during the summer?

Common phrases: shadow a doctor, shadow someone at work

To follow someone closely without letting them know.

• A detective shadowed the suspect.
• Two officers shadowed her through the city.
• He realized someone had been shadowing him all day.

Similar words: tail, follow, track

Common phrases: shadow someone closely, shadow a suspect