expression, i-adjective
in the background; not standing out; lacking presence
Describes a person or thing that is unremarkable, inconspicuous, or fails to make an impression. Often used in contrast to more prominent counterparts.
See also: 影が薄い
彼は会議ではいつも影薄い存在だ。
He is always an inconspicuous presence in meetings.
新作のゲームは前作に比べて影薄い
The new game felt lackluster compared to the previous one.
More standard and slightly more formal phrasing with the particle が. 影薄い is a contracted, casual variant often used in informal contexts.
Contracted form of the phrase 影が薄い (kage ga usui), literally 'shadow is thin', meaning lacking presence or being inconspicuous.