shadier; shadiest
1
: producing or affording shade
2
: sheltered from the sun's rays
3
a
: of questionable merit : uncertain, unreliable
shadily adverb
shadiness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trim low limbs on evergreen trees and shrubs to allow more sunlight in shady areas. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025 Riders will queue up in an expansive (and thankfully shady) warehouse structure that resembles garages seen in the films. Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025 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 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 See All Example Sentences for shady

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shady was in 1579

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shady.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shady. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

shady

adjective
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 adverb
shadiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on shady

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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