shady

1 of 2

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

shadiness

2 of 2

noun

shad·​i·​ness -dēnə̇s 

-din-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being shady

shadiness of a deal

shadiness of a woodland grove

Synonyms of shady

Adjective

• shaded
• shadowy
• shadowed
• sheltered
• darkened

Examples of shady in a Sentence

Adjective

Their backyard is nice and shady.

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Debbie, named after Coates’ mother, feels betrayed by Judith and her husband, who is involved in shady dealings with an Albanian gang. — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

But the story about the war hero Odysseus, whose journey home with his men is beset by sea storms, shipwrecks, gods, monsters and shady ladies, set the template for literature, comic books, science fiction and Hollywood epics for centuries to come. — Jim Beckerman, USA Today, 16 July 2026

The trial became a sideshow of stories of double crosses, disagreements, and shady meetings. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 July 2026

Now, though, the American team’s customary Round-of-16 exit, the Balogun fiasco and FIFA’s shady past recede as the overriding art of soccer/football/futbol at ts best takes over with a final four for the ages. — Miami Herald, 13 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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