overshadow
|o/ver/shad/ow|
🇺🇸
/ˌoʊvərˈʃædoʊ/
🇬🇧
/ˌəʊvəˈʃædəʊ/
cast a shadow
Etymology
'overshadow' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'ofer' meaning 'over' and 'sceadu' meaning 'shadow'.
'ofer' and 'sceadu' combined in Old English to form 'ofer-sceadu', which evolved into the modern English word 'overshadow'.
Initially, it meant 'to cast a shadow over', but over time it evolved to also mean 'to make something less important'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to cast a shadow over something, making it less visible or important.
The tall building overshadowed the small park.
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Antonyms
Verb 2
to appear more prominent or important than something else.
Her achievements overshadowed those of her colleagues.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45