Umbra
noun /ˈʌm.brə/ — The fully dark central region of a shadow
Definition
The innermost, darkest part of a shadow — where direct light is completely blocked. In an eclipse, the umbra is the region of total darkness.
Beyond the definition
The shadow's shadow — the darkest part of the dark. The umbra is what's left when every light has been blocked.
Origin & history
From Latin 'umbra' (shade, shadow, ghost). The same root as 'umbrella' (little shade), 'umber' (earth shadow), and 'adumbrate' (to outline in shadow).
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Totality in a solar eclipse means standing in the umbra of the moon — a shadow 70 miles wide moving at 1,500 mph.
The garden remained in deep umbra all afternoon — the tall wall cut the sun entirely.
She moved through her grief as if through an umbra — the light was there, but none of it reached her.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Umbra” when the meaning fits your context: The innermost, darkest part of a shadow — where direct light is completely blocked. In an eclipse, the umbra is the region of total darkness.
Synonyms
Antonyms
light, penumbra, illumination
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Umbra" mean?
Umbra is noun meaning: The fully dark central region of a shadow. The innermost, darkest part of a shadow — where direct light is completely blocked. In an eclipse, the umbra is the region of total darkness.
Where does the word "Umbra" come from?
From Latin 'umbra' (shade, shadow, ghost). The same root as 'umbrella' (little shade), 'umber' (earth shadow), and 'adumbrate' (to outline in shadow).