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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Overshadow: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：eclipse (overshadow)

overshadow 🔊

/ˌəʊvəˈʃædəʊ/

vt.

To be or appear much more important or impressive than someone or something else, making them seem less significant.

Overshadow meaning illustrated: a large trophy outshines a smaller one on a dark stage.

eclipse 🔊

➕

/ɪˈklɪps/

vt.

To make someone or something seem less important or successful by comparison.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Prefix 'over-' (above, beyond) + 'shadow'. Literally 'to cast a shadow over'.

💡 Mnemonic

A BIG cloud OVER a mountain casts a SHADOW, making the smaller hills seem less important.

📖 Example

Her incredible performance in the school play completely overshadowed everyone else's efforts. 🔊 Her performance was so good it made others' efforts look less impressive.

🔗 Collocations

overshadow an achievement – make an achievement seem less significant

overshadow an event – cast a negative or more dominant influence over an event

overshadow someone's career – dominate or define someone's career path in a way that minimizes other aspects

🔄 Synonyms

eclipse (vt.) – To make someone or something seem dull or insignificant by comparison.

dwarf (vt.) – To make something seem small or unimportant in comparison.

outshine (vt.) – To be much more impressive or successful than someone else.

🚫 Antonyms

highlight (vt.) – To emphasize or make more noticeable.

emphasize (vt.) – To give special importance or prominence to something.

complement (vt.) – To add to something in a way that enhances or improves it.

📖 Cultural Story

From Old English 'ofersceadwian', combining 'ofer' (over) and 'sceadu' (shadow). Initially describing physical shade, it evolved to metaphorically mean making something else seem unimportant.

Meaning 2：cast shade (overshadow)

overshadow 🔊

/ˌəʊvəˈʃædəʊ/

vt.

To cast a shadow over a place, making it darker and cooler.

Overshadow definition: a tree casting a distinct shadow on sunny grass in a park.

cast shade 🔊

➕

/kæst ʃeɪd/

vt.

To block light and create a shadow over an area.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The tall new building will overshadow the small park next to it for most of the afternoon. 🔊 The tall building will block the sun and cast a shadow over the park.

🔗 Collocations

overshadow a garden – to block sunlight from reaching a garden

overshadow a building – to cast a shadow onto another building

🔄 Synonyms

shade (vt.) – To shelter from direct light.

darken (vt.) – To make or become dark or darker.

🚫 Antonyms

illuminate (vt.) – To light up.

light up (phrasal v.) – To become bright with light.