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
• shadowy
• shadowed
• sheltered
• darkened

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

In the South, cool-season grasses are often grown in shady areas of the landscape or seeded over Bermuda grass for winter color. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2025

The creators lean into the shadier side of the law with comic undertones; the result more closely resembles Suits than anything else. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025

These shady characters are only part of a long list of ne’er-do-wells. —Norman B. Gildin, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2025

The Federal Trade Commission sued Match Group in 2019 for allegedly using shady tactics to attract paying customers, such as ignoring romance scammers in a bid to nab new subscribers. —PC Magazine, 12 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shady

• cady
• lady
• zaidi
• arcady
• landlady

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