receiving little attention because someone else is better known or more skillful Tom was a good lawyer, but he was always in the shadow of his famous father.
Usage notes: often used after live: Living in the shadow of a glamorous sister, Hilda was quiet and shy.
1. near something Her house is located in the shadow of the state capitol.
2. influenced by something bad that has happened or could happen The children of the survivors lived their lives in the shadow of the Holocaust.The organization is trying to protect civil rights in the shadow of terrorism.