shady

[ shey-dee ]

adjective

, shad·i·er, shad·i·est.

1. abounding in shade; shaded: shade:

   shady paths.

2. giving shade:

   a shady tree.

3. shadowy; indistinct; spectral.
4. of dubious character; rather disreputable:

   shady dealings.

shady

/ ˈʃeɪdɪ /

adjective

1. full of shade; shaded
2. affording or casting a shade
3. dim, quiet, or concealed
4. informal.
   dubious or questionable as to honesty or legality

Derived Forms

• ˈshadily, adverb
• ˈshadiness, noun

Other Words From

• shadi·ly adverb
• shadi·ness noun
• un·shadi·ly adverb
• un·shadi·ness noun
• un·shady adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shady¹

First recorded in 1570–80; shade + -y ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the shady side of, Informal. beyond (the specified age); more than:

   on the shady side of 40.

Example Sentences

“It was shady at first because she gave me an address to a hotel,” he laughs.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump's base of insecure and ignorant male voters isn't just useful electorally but offers up a steady supply of marks for shady MAGA-related hustles.

From Salon

It fits in with the overall GD rhetoric of shady figures in the West - described as "the global war party" - pushing Georgia to war, and the opposition doing the West's bidding.

From BBC

Throughout the six-part series we learn about Ernesto’s past, his deal with a shady promoter before his return and his unknowingly deep connection to the evil he is fighting against.

From Los Angeles Times

He's aggressively defended unions, made organizing much easier, and sent law enforcement after companies for union-busting and other shady tactics.

From Salon

Related Words

• crooked
• dishonest
• dubious
• questionable
• slippery
• underhanded
• unscrupulous