Shadow vs. Wraith — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 8, 2024
A shadow is a dark shape cast by an object blocking light, while a wraith is a ghostly apparition often associated with death. Shadows are natural phenomena, whereas wraiths are typically seen in folklore and horror literature.
Difference Between Shadow and Wraith
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A shadow is a dark silhouette or shape cast by an object blocking a light source. It moves and changes size with the light's angle and intensity. A wraith, however, is a spectral entity often representing the spirit of a deceased person, typically depicted as ghostly and ethereal.
Shadows are natural and mundane, often used metaphorically to represent hidden aspects or unconscious fears. In contrast, wraiths evoke supernatural fear and are rooted in folklore, frequently portrayed as ominous harbingers of death.
A shadow varies in appearance depending on the object casting it and the light source's position. Wraiths, however, are often consistently depicted as misty figures or ghostly shapes, embodying the essence of death or doom.
In literature and art, shadows symbolize mystery or concealment. Wraiths, on the other hand, represent loss, unfinished business, or malevolent intent.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Dark shape created when light is blocked
Spectral entity, often associated with death
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Origin
Natural phenomenon
Folklore, ghost stories
Symbolism
Mystery, fear, the unknown
Death, loss, malevolence
Physical Presence
Exists as a dark shape
Ethereal, incorporeal
Perception
Visible in the presence of light
Often seen or sensed by the superstitious
Compare with Definitions
Shadow
Dark shape.
The child's shadow grew long as the sun set.
Wraith
Ghostly apparition.
The old castle is said to be haunted by a wraith.
Shadow
Unseen influence.
The new leader emerged from his predecessor's shadow.
Wraith
Fading presence.
The wraith of her former self lingered after the illness.
Shadow
Symbol of mystery.
She moved silently through the shadows of the night.
Wraith
Forewarning.
Legends tell of a wraith appearing before someone's death.
Shadow
Unwanted presence.
The betrayal cast a shadow over their friendship.
Wraith
Ethereal figure.
He glimpsed a wraith-like shape disappearing into the fog.
Shadow
An outline.
In the dim light, the shadow of the statue looked eerie.
Wraith
Death omen.
Stories describe the wraith as a harbinger of disaster.
Shadow
A shadow is a dark (real image) area where light from a light source is blocked by an opaque object. It occupies all of the three-dimensional volume behind an object with light in front of it.
Wraith
A ghost or ghostlike image of someone, especially one seen shortly before or after their death.
Shadow
A dark area or shape made by an object blocking rays of light.
Wraith
An apparition of someone that is believed to appear as a portent just before that person's death.
Shadow
The darkness or diminished light caused by the blocking of a light source
The back yard is in shadow all day long.
Wraith
The ghost of a dead person.
Shadow
A darker area in a picture or photograph.
Wraith
Something faint or insubstantial
"The wraith of a hollow laugh issued silently from his parted lips" (F. Scott Fitzgerald).
Shadow
Shadows The darkness following sunset.
Wraith
A ghost or specter, especially a person's likeness seen just after their death.
Shadow
Often shadows A darkened area of skin under the eye.
Wraith
An apparition of a person in his exact likeness, seen before death, or a little after; hence, an apparition; a specter; a vision; an unreal image.
She was uncertain if it were the gypsy or her wraith.
O, hollow wraith of dying fame.
Shadow
An incipient growth of beard that makes the skin look darker.
Wraith
Sometimes, improperly, a spirit thought to preside over the waters; - called also water wraith.
Shadow
A feeling or cause of gloom or unhappiness
The argument cast a shadow on their friendship.
Wraith
A mental representation of some haunting experience;
He looked like he had seen a ghost
It aroused specters from his past
Shadow
A nearby or adjoining region; vicinity
Grew up in the shadow of the ballpark.
Shadow
A dominating presence or influence
Spent years working in the shadow of the lab director.
Shadow
An imitation or inferior version
"The defenders of the Japanese home islands were already a shadow of the fighting forces American soldiers had encountered elsewhere" (James Carroll).
Shadow
A phantom; a ghost.
Shadow
An unsubstantial object of pursuit
Spent the last part of his career chasing shadows.
Shadow
One, such as a detective or spy, that follows or trails another.
Shadow
A constant companion.
Shadow
(Sports) A player who guards an opponent closely.
Shadow
A faint indication; a foreshadowing
A shadow of things to come.
Shadow
An insignificant portion or amount; a trace
Beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Shadow
Shelter; protection
Under the shadow of their corporate sponsor.
Shadow
To cast a shadow on; darken or shade
The leaves of the trees shadowed the ferns below.
Shadow
To make gloomy or troubled, especially over time
He was shadowed by self-doubt.
Shadow
To represent vaguely, mysteriously, or prophetically; foreshadow.
Shadow
To darken in a painting or drawing; shade in.
Shadow
To follow, especially in secret; trail.
Shadow
(Sports) To guard (an opponent) closely throughout the playing area.
Shadow
To become downcast or gloomy
Her face shadowed with sorrow.
Shadow
Not having official status
A shadow government of exiled leaders.
A shadow cabinet.
Shadow
A dark image projected onto a surface where light (or other radiation) is blocked by the shade of an object.
My shadow lengthened as the sun began to set.
The X-ray showed a shadow on his lung.
Shadow
Relative darkness, especially as caused by the interruption of light; gloom; obscurity.
I immediately jumped into shadow as I saw them approach.
Shadow
An area protected by an obstacle (likened to an object blocking out sunlight).
The mountains block the passage of rain-producing weather systems and cast a "shadow" of dryness behind them.
Shadow
(obsolete) A reflected image, as in a mirror or in water.
Shadow
(figurative) That which looms as though a shadow.
I don't have a shadow of doubt in my mind that my plan will succeed.
The shadow of fear of my being outed always affects how I live my life.
I lived in her shadow my whole life.
Shadow
A small degree; a shade.
He did not give even a shadow of respect to the professor.
Shadow
An imperfect and faint representation.
He came back from war the shadow of a man.
The neopagan ritual was only a pale shadow of the ones the Greeks held thousands of years ago.
Shadow
A trainee, assigned to work with an experienced officer.
Shadow
One who secretly or furtively follows another.
The constable was promoted to working as a shadow for the Royals.
Shadow
An inseparable companion.
Shadow
(typography) A drop shadow effect applied to lettering in word processors etc.
Shadow
An influence, especially a pervasive or a negative one.
Shadow
A spirit; a ghost; a shade.
Shadow
An uninvited guest accompanying one who was invited.
Shadow
An unconscious aspect of the personality.
Shadow
(transitive) To shade, cloud, or darken.
The artist chose to shadow this corner of the painting.
Shadow
(transitive) To block light or radio transmission from.
Looks like that cloud's going to shadow us.
Shadow
To secretly or discreetly track or follow another, to keep under surveillance.
Shadow
(transitive) To represent faintly and imperfectly.
Shadow
(transitive) To hide; to conceal.
Shadow
(transitive) To accompany (a professional) during the working day, so as to learn about an occupation one intends to take up.
Shadow
To make (an identifier, usually a variable) inaccessible by declaring another of the same name within the scope of the first.
Shadow
To apply the shadowing process to (the contents of ROM).
Shadow
Unofficial, informal, unauthorized, but acting as though it were.
The human resources department has a shadow information technology group without headquarters knowledge.
Shadow
Having power or influence, but not widely known or recognized.
The director has been giving shadow leadership to the other group's project to ensure its success.
The illuminati shadow group has been pulling strings from behind the scenes.
Shadow
(politics) Acting in a leadership role before being formally recognized.
The shadow cabinet cannot agree on the terms of the agreement due immediately after they are sworn in.
The insurgents’ shadow government is being crippled by the federal military strikes.
Shadow
Part of, or related to, the opposition in government.
Shadow
Darkness; shade; obscurity.
Night's sable shadows from the ocean rise.
Shadow
A shaded place; shelter; protection; security.
In secret shadow from the sunny ray,On a sweet bed of lilies softly laid.
Shadow
A reflected image, as in a mirror or in water.
Shadow
That which follows or attends a person or thing like a shadow; an inseparable companion; hence, an obsequious follower.
Sin and her shadow Death.
Shadow
A spirit; a ghost; a shade; a phantom.
Shadow
An imperfect and faint representation; adumbration; indistinct image; dim bodying forth; hence, mystical representation; type.
The law having a shadow of good things to come.
[Types] and shadows of that destined seed.
Shadow
A small degree; a shade.
Shadow
An uninvited guest coming with one who is invited.
I must not have my board pastered with shadowsThat under other men's protection break inWithout invitement.
Shadow
To cut off light from; to put in shade; to shade; to throw a shadow upon; to overspead with obscurity.
The warlike elf much wondered at this tree,So fair and great, that shadowed all the ground.
Shadow
To conceal; to hide; to screen.
Let every soldier hew him down a bough.And bear't before him; thereby shall we shadowThe numbers of our host.
Shadow
To protect; to shelter from danger; to shroud.
Shadowing their right under your wings of war.
Shadow
To mark with gradations of light or color; to shade.
Shadow
To represent faintly or imperfectly; to adumbrate; hence, to represent typically.
Augustus is shadowed in the person of æneas.
Shadow
To cloud; to darken; to cast a gloom over.
The shadowed livery of the burnished sun.
Why sad?I must not see the face O love thus shadowed.
Shadow
To attend as closely as a shadow; to follow and watch closely, especially in a secret or unobserved manner; as, a detective shadows a criminal.
Shadow
Shade within clear boundaries
Shadow
An unilluminated area;
He moved off into the darkness
Shadow
Something existing in perception only;
A ghostly apparition at midnight
Shadow
A premonition of something adverse;
A shadow over his happiness
Shadow
An indication that something has been present;
There wasn't a trace of evidence for the claim
A tincture of condescension
Shadow
Refuge from danger or observation;
He felt secure in his father's shadow
Shadow
A dominating and pervasive presence;
He received little recognition working in the shadow of his father
Shadow
A spy employed to follow someone and report their movements
Shadow
An inseparable companion;
The poor child was his mother's shadow
Shadow
Follow, usually without the person's knowledge;
The police are shadowing her
Shadow
Cast a shadow over
Shadow
Make appear small by comparison;
This year's debt dwarves that of last year
Common Curiosities
Do shadows symbolize anything specific?
Shadows often symbolize mystery, the unknown, or hidden fears in literature and art.
Can a shadow move independently?
No, it only moves with the object or changes based on the light's position.
How does light affect shadows?
The intensity, direction, and source of light determine a shadow's shape, size, and sharpness.
What literary works feature shadows symbolically?
Shakespeare's "Macbeth" and J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" use shadows symbolically.
What is a shadow in art?
Shadows in art help depict light and form, creating depth and perspective.
Are wraiths always depicted as evil?
Not always, but they typically represent death or foreboding due to their spectral nature.
How is a wraith different from a specter?
A wraith is specifically linked to death, while a specter is any ghostly figure.
How is a wraith different from other ghostly entities?
Wraiths are often specifically tied to death, sometimes considered omens, unlike other ghosts that may have varied origins.
Can shadows change in size or shape?
Yes, shadows change depending on the light source's angle and the object's shape.
Are shadows considered real objects?
No, they are visual phenomena created by blocking light.
Can wraiths be seen by everyone in folklore?
Folklore often describes them as visible only to those facing impending doom.
What folklore features wraiths prominently?
Wraiths appear prominently in Scottish folklore as ghostly apparitions.
Can shadows be entirely eliminated?
Shadows can be reduced in well-diffused lighting, but some level of shadow is almost always present.
Why are wraiths often considered omens?
In folklore, wraiths are believed to foreshadow death or disaster due to their ghostly appearance.
Do all cultures believe in wraiths?
Different cultures have similar spectral figures with varying names and characteristics.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
