They are similar. Not exactly the same, but quite similar. The concepts are roughly the same, as they both describe the dark part of an object furthest from a given light source. The usages of each of these words are different, however. For example: When talking about the dark form that follows the feet of every person and animal, that is ALWAYS called a shadow: My shadow, your shadow, the dog's shadow, etc. You would also say that everything "casts a shadow." When the verb "cast" is used, then the noun "shadow" is used. I don't think I have ever heard "cast shade." "Shade" is most often used to describe the part of a building, tree or other large object that people use to shield themselves from the son's light and heat. For example, one might say: "Let's go have our picnic over there in the shade." (perfectly fine. most people would say it just like this) "Let's go have our picnic over there in the shadow." (This would probably never be said. It sounds strange to me, at least.) Both "shade" and "shadow" are used in numerous different contexts. However, in general terms, think of it like this. A "shadow" is normally used when talking about darkness in relationship to a particular person, animal or thing. "Shade" is normally used when talking about a general location, where there is a darkness. (The objects that cause said darkness are not important) I hope this helps. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Shadow= dark shape created by an object blocking a source of light (usually the sun, but not always). With a shadow, we are usually focused on the shape itself or the relationship of the shape to the object. "His shadow follows him wherever he goes." "The shadows of the dog and cat are so much larger than the animals that they look like monsters." "We played shadow puppets with out hands. I like the bunny, eagle and butterfly the best." "The shadow of that tiny little boy was so tall, it looked like a man was coming towards us." Shade= darkness created by an object blocking a source of light. Usually we are referring to the darkness created by an object blocking sunlight and thereby the HEAT from the sun, so in the shade, the temperature tends to be significantly cooler than in direct sunlight. Shade is created by an object that is blocking the light of the sun (or rarely by another light source). We don't really care about the object itself (tree, wall, tent) we just care about how much cooler (lower temperature) it will feel in the shade. "Let's sit in the shade of that tree." Although it is also the shadow of the tree, the purpose here is to sit where the temperature is cooler. "The sun is so hot today, let's look for some shade." "You really should buy a UV umbrella too so you can take the shade with you while we are walking." EDIT: Shade can be a verb, but shadow cannot. "I wear a hat to shade my eyes from the sun." Only "shade" works here, because it is being used as a VERB. "Shade" can be a noun as described above, or a verb as described here. A "shadow" can only be a noun. "Shade" is also used when referring to blocking the brightness of the sun. We might sit in the shade not only for the cool temperature, but because the sunlight is so bright we cannot see our phone screen clearly, or the page of our book without squinting.

Shadow referes to the silhouette cast by an object that blocks a source of light. You can see your shadow on the ground or a wall or whatever you are blocking from the light source. You can make shadow puppets with your hands.. A shadow can be cast by any light source such as a candle, a flashlight, an overhead light, a spotlight, or the sun. Shade is the "darkness" created by a shadow and only really applies to shadows created outside by the sun. Underneath a tree on a sunny day would be "in the shade". Inside a building would be "out of the sun" and not "in the shade." However, under a roof with no walls (like a picnic shelter) would be "in the shade."

The shadow is the dark shape formed by an object blocking the light. It is, more or less, defined; eg. the shadow of a car, a dog, a wall, a person.. The shade is a broad area bocking off the light (mostly the Sun). It might be inside a tent in the desert, under a big tree, behind a big wall etc. It is shadowy or shady and full of shadows.

A shadow is the shadow cast by a specific thing. I have a shadow. A tree has a shadow. The word is usually used to refer to it as a shape. 'You can see the shadow moving during the day'. Shade is usually the combination of the shadows cast by several objects, although it can be just one. 'Shade' refers to the protection from the sun, rather than the shape itself. 'Let's find some shade to sit in', 'The apple orchard provides some nice shade'.