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

• ˈshadiness, noun
• ˈshadily, adverb

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

If you want to hear about some shady mass pet cremations, listen to Freakonomics Radio Ep.

From Freakonomics

This should remove shady apps, block unauthorized access, and put you back in control.

From Popular-Science

App platforms like Apple and Google have struggled with shady ad businesses for years, which target their own customers.

From TechCrunch

A broader, stockier structure covered with light brush can give you a shady, ventilated shelter for hot, dry climates.

From Popular-Science

In any case, don’t fall victim to shady backlink providers or freelancers, who are willing to do the job for cheap.

From Search Engine Watch

The relationships, and motivations of their chief participants, are as tangled and shady as you expect of the super-rich.

From The Daily Beast

Allison and Cole have lost a child, his family is shady, and his mother domineering.

From The Daily Beast

Dr. Edwards warns that Dawn is not acting out of the kindness of her heart—but then again, Dr. Edwards is shady as hell, too.

From The Daily Beast

The old culture of the Party of Regions—its lack of transparency, the graft and the shady deal making—has returned.

From The Daily Beast

Ruth Shady isn't my anything; she is her own, completely original force in archaeology.

From The Daily Beast

On a stone bench against the shady wall Aristide and Mrs. Ducksmith sat down to rest.

From Project Gutenberg

Tom bathed and changed his clothes, then drove down to the shady garden beside the river as of old.

From Project Gutenberg

These dwarf trees are very prevalent in their gardens, and preferred to the most magnificent and shady trees of a natural size.

From Project Gutenberg

Marie, at the moment, is no doubt with the children of the rich Count, in a shady spot near the music.

From Project Gutenberg

Then they came to an Italian garden with a fountain in the middle, and a shady little wood around the edge.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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