What does overshadow mean?
Word: Overshadow
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Overshadow means to make something or someone seem less important by being more impressive; also to cast shade over something.
Synonyms: eclipse
How do you spell overshadow?
Syllables: o - ver - shad - ow
Tricky part: Only one d follows the short a. Because the a sounds like the a in had, pupils often double the d and write overshaddow.
Watch out for: overshaddow, overshadoe
Memory tip: Picture one tall tree standing over one small plant: one patch of shade, one d.
Overshadow in a sentence
Example 1: The new mall will overshadow the little shops on our street.
Example 2: Don't let one bad mark overshadow all your good work this term.
Example 3: The tall neem tree overshadows the whole of Nani's courtyard.
Fun Fact
Overshadow goes back to Old English, when it meant simply to cast shade over something; the sense of making others seem less important came later.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct letters to form a word:
ov_rs_adow
a) e, h
b) a, h
c) e, c
d) i, h
Show answer
a) e, h. The word begins with over, and the sh sound needs an h.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
The goal in the final minute was so good that it will deohasworv the rest of the match in everyone's memory.
a) overshoot
b) overshadow
c) overthrow
d) overflow
Show answer
b) overshadow. Overthrow, overflow and overshoot have no a or d, so the ten letters must make overshadow.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word overshadow as used in the sentence:
Rhea's brilliant solo threatened to overshadow every other act in the concert.
a) follow
b) copy
c) outshine
d) applaud
Show answer
c) outshine. To outshine others is to do so well that they seem less impressive.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the meaning of the only correctly spelt word:
1. overshadow 2. overwhelme 3. overcomming 4. overlok
a) to fail to notice something
b) beating a difficulty
c) to take attention away from something by being greater
d) to be too much for someone
Show answer
c) to take attention away from something by being greater. Overwhelm has no final e, overcoming has a single m, and overlook has a double o.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which headline shows one event overshadowing another?
a) Shop opens on Monday morning
b) Rain steals the show at cup final
c) Train leaves on time from Pune
d) School gets new library books
Show answer
b) Rain steals the show at cup final
2. If a tall building overshadows a park, the park ____
a) grows bigger
b) gets less sunlight
c) gets a new gate
d) becomes noisier
Show answer
b) gets less sunlight
