Shadowing

/ˈʃædoʊɪŋ/

Meaning & Definition

noun
The act of following and observing someone, often as a way to learn.
She was offered a shadowing opportunity with a renowned surgeon.
The presence of a shadow or shaded area.
The shadowing of the mountains cast an eerie atmosphere over the valley.
verb
To follow and observe someone closely, especially in a learning or mentoring context.
The intern spent the week shadowing the senior manager to learn about the company’s operations.
To cause a shadow to appear or to shade something.
As the sun set, the trees began shadowing the ground, creating a cool, dark space.

Etymology

From the word 'shadow', referring to the act of casting a shadow or closely following.

Common Phrases and Expressions

shadow someone
To follow someone closely to gain knowledge or skills.
shadow a professional
To observe the professional behaviors of someone in a specific field.
shadowing program
A structured program where individuals can observe and learn from experienced practitioners.

Related Words

shadow
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
mentor
An experienced and trusted advisor.
observation
The action or process of observing something or someone carefully.

Slang Meanings

To mimic or copy someone in a casual way.
He's always shadowing his older brother, trying to do everything he does.
To follow someone without them knowing, often for fun or mischief.
We spent the day shadowing the new kid just to see where he goes.