shadow

shad|ow¹ W2 [ˈʃædəu US -dou] n

↑shadow

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1¦(dark shape)¦

2¦(darkness)¦

3¦(bad effect/influence)¦

4 without/beyond a shadow of a doubt

5 in somebody's shadow

6 be a shadow of your former self

7 shadows under your eyes

8 somebody's shadow

9 afraid/frightened/scared etc of your own shadow

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[: Old English; Origin: sceaduw-, stem of sceadu; SHADE¹]

1.) ¦(DARK SHAPE)¦

the dark shape that someone or something makes on a surface when they are between that surface and the light

▪ the long dark shadow of an old oak tree

▪ His shadow fell across the room.

▪ The building cast its shadow (=made a shadow) across the street.

in the shadow of sth

▪ It was hot, and we decided to walk in the shadow of the wall (=along the wall, where its shadow would fall) .

2.) ¦(DARKNESS)¦[U]

also shadows [plural]

darkness caused by something preventing light from reaching a place

in shadow

▪ The room was half in shadow.

in the shadows

▪ In the shadows something moved.

3.) ¦(BAD EFFECT/INFLUENCE)¦ [singular]

the bad effect or influence that something has, which makes other things seem less enjoyable, attractive, or impressive

in/under the shadow of sth

▪ For years, people had been living under the shadow of communism.

cast a shadow over/on sth

(=make something seem less enjoyable, attractive, or impressive)

▪ The events of September 11th cast a shadow over the celebrations.

4.) without/beyond a shadow of a doubt

used to say that something is definitely true

▪ Without a shadow of a doubt, he's the most talented player we have.

5.) in sb's shadow

if you are in someone's shadow, they are much more famous and successful than you are

▪ Kate grew up in the shadow of her film star sister.

6.) be a shadow of your former self

to be weaker, less powerful, or worse than you were before

▪ Lennox seemed like a shadow of his former self.

7.) shadows under your eyes

small dark areas under your eyes that you have when you are very tired

▪ She looked pale, with deep shadows under her eyes.

8.) sb's shadow

someone who follows someone else everywhere they go

9.) afraid/frightened/scared etc of your own shadow

easily frightened or very nervous

→↑five o'clock shadow

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WORD CHOICE:shadow, shade

A shadow is a dark shape made by something that blocks the sun or a light : She saw his shadow on the wall.

Shadow is an area of darkness made like this : The side of the valley was in shadow.

Shade is a cool dark area where the sun does not reach, made by the shadow of something such as a tree or wall : Let's eat our lunch in the shade. | He sat under the shade of a tree.

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shadow ²

shadow² v [T]

1.) to follow someone closely in order to watch what they are doing

▪ Detectives shadowed him for weeks.

2.) [usually passive] literary

to cover something with a shadow, or make it dark

▪ a narrow street which was shadowed by a huge Catholic church

shadow ³

shadow³ adj [only before noun]

1.) Shadow Chancellor/Foreign Secretary etc

the politician in the main opposition party in the British parliament who would become ↑chancellor etc if their party was in government, and who is responsible for speaking on the same subjects

2.) Shadow Cabinet

the group of politicians in the British parliament who would become ministers if their party was in government