shady

adjective

ˈshā-dē 

shadier; shadiest

1

: producing or affording shade

2

: sheltered from the sun's rays

3

a

: of questionable merit : uncertain, unreliable

b

: disreputable

shadily

ˈshā-də-lē 

adverb

shadiness

ˈshā-dē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• shaded
• shadowed
• shadowy
• umbrageous

Examples of shady in a Sentence

Their backyard is nice and shady.

I don't trust him. He seems like a pretty shady character.

Recent Examples on the Web

As the protagonist, players have to help a local sushi restaurant and other townspeople resist the shady developers trying to buy up the local property. —Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024

There’s also a pretty, shady green space with a fountain that kids love to run through, plus lots of restaurants and food trucks. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2024

Some dealers lurking on social media are even more shady. —Mattha Busby, WIRED, 17 Dec. 2024

Loading your audio article These shady little operations are the sandspurs in Florida’s problematic gaming landscape, though there are other toxic flowers. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

shady

adjective

ˈshād-ē 

shadier; shadiest

1

: casting a shadow : giving shade

2

: sheltered from the sun's rays

a shady grove

3

: not right or honest

a shady business deal

shadily

ˈshād-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

shadiness

ˈshād-ē-nəs 

noun