shadow definition

1. shade within clear boundaries
2. a premonition of something adverse
• examples: a shadow over his happiness
3. refuge from danger or observation
• examples: he felt secure in his father's shadow
4. a dominating and pervasive presence
• examples: he received little recognition working in the shadow of his father
5. an inseparable companion
• examples: the poor child was his mother's shadow
6. follow, usually without the person's knowledge
• examples: The police are shadowing her
7. cast a shadow over
8. make appear small by comparison
• examples: This year's debt dwarfs that of last year