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

This, on top of the shady Mass Pike service plaza deal, the Mercedes cab contract, and the failure to audit the legislature. —Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 13 Oct. 2025

Keep carved jack-o-lanterns in a cool, shady spot. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025

The tree was probably planted around 1918 by Donald and Gertrude Ingersoll, who originally bought a parcel of land on this site, built a ranch house, and began replacing native foliage with tall, shady Australian eucalyptus trees. —Lonnie Burstein Hewitt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Oct. 2025

This shady ramble follows a beautiful stream to a gushing spring. —Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 10 Oct. 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