2 syllables: Sha, dow. Stress on Sha.
SHAD-oh
/ˈʃæˌdoʊ/
Shadow is pronounced SHAD-oh (/ˈʃæˌdoʊ/). It has two syllables (Sha-dow), with the stress on "Sha". Shadow is a noun meaning a dark shape produced by something blocking light, or a nearby or subtle presence. It can also refer to a closely following person or thing, such as a pupil shadowing a mentor. In figurative use, it denotes a vague, secondary influence or guide. The term often implies concealment, proximity, or imitation.
nounShadow is a noun meaning a dark shape produced by something blocking light, or a nearby or subtle presence. It can also refer to a closely following person or thing, such as a pupil shadowing a mentor. In figurative use, it denotes a vague, secondary influence or guide. The term often implies concealment, proximity, or imitation.
How to Pronounce Shadow
"The tree cast a long shadow across the lawn as the sun set."
"A loyal employee shadowed the manager to learn the role."
"In the cave, our shadows danced on the walls as torchlight flickered."
Say /ˈʃæ.doʊ/ in US, or /ˈʃæ.dəʊ/ in UK/AU. Start with a clear initial /ʃ/ (sh) as in shin, then /æ/ like cat. The second syllable uses a gentle flow with /d/ followed by long /oʊ/ (US) or /əʊ/ (UK/AU). The primary stress is on the first syllable: SHAD-oh. You’ll hear the vowel in the second syllable lengthen into a diphthong, so keep it moving rather than stopping at /o/.
Common errors: (1) Replacing /æ/ with a more open /a:/ or reducing it to /ə/. (2) Slurring /æ/ into /a/ or mispronouncing the second syllable as /dəʊ/ with a reduced /ə/. (3) Under-marking the primary stress, saying scha-dow or shad-oh too evenly. Corrections: practice the /æ/ as a bright, front-open vowel; clearly articulate /d/ before the final diphthong; keep a noticeable break before the glide of /oʊ/ or /əʊ. Use slow, exaggerated repeats, then normalize speed.
In US English, /ˈʃæ.doʊ/ with a clear /oʊ/. UK/AU commonly have /ˈʃæ.dəʊ/ where the second syllable softens to schwa before the final /ʊ/ glide, giving a lighter, less pronounced second vowel. Rhoticity affects color mainly in connected speech; US tends to retain a stronger /r/ only in rhotic contexts, which isn’t in this word, but intonation differs. Overall, the first syllable stays /ʃæ/, but the second vowel quality shifts from /oʊ/ to /əʊ/ and a slightly reduced second vowel in non-stressed speech.
The challenge lies in the short /æ/ vowel and the transition into a diphthong in the second syllable. Speakers often misposition the tongue for /æ/ and instead produce a lax /ə/ or /a/. Also, the /ʃ/ must be precise to avoid lisp-like misarticulation, and the /d/ should be clean with no assimilation into a following nasal. Finally, the second syllable’s diphthong requires a controlled rise from /oɪ/ toward /ʊ/ in some accents; keep the glide smooth and the lip rounding subtle.
Shadow has no silent letters; the difficulty is dynamic rather than silent. The first syllable carries primary stress and a strong /æ/; the second syllable relies on a correct /d/ and a rising diphthong. In rapid speech, the /ə/ or /oʊ/ may be shortened, so you should maintain the pitch and avoid swallowing the vowel. The unique aspect is the precise break between syllables and the glide into the final vowel; practice with slow tempo to lock the contrast.
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Shadow comes from Old English scaeda meaning shade, shade-like, or shadow. The semantic path began with literal darkness or shade cast by objects, then extended to the notion of a dark area created by light obstruction. By Middle English, shadow was used to describe a reflected image or specter, and later, a trace or copy of a person or thing, including the concept of following or imitating another (as in a student shadowing a professional). The sense of influence or presence emerged in the 18th-19th centuries, as in “shadow of a doubt” and “shadow cabinet,” evolving from a physical shade to metaphorical proximity or imitation. First known written usage appears in Old English texts, with robust development in medieval and early modern literature, and the modern sense of an accompanying or trailing presence solidified over time while retaining core ideas of partial darkness and imitation.
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Words that rhyme with "Shadow"
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