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

On bright sunny days in summer, look for a shady place where light intensity is reduced. —Anthony A. Ciuffa, Outdoor Life, 7 Aug. 2025

Once they’ve been admitted, users have access to profiles of men annotated with information such as background checks and dating reviews; men with shady dating histories are rated with red flags. —Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 6 Aug. 2025

The property’s 114 bungalows and 25 townhome-style villas surround two sparkling pools and a shady grove of hammocks. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2025

Redirecting your searches can lead you to shady websites or expose you to more aggressive scams. —Ken Colburn, AZCentral.com, 4 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