shady

[shey-dee]

adjective

shadier, shadiest 

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

Other Word Forms

• shadily adverb
• shadiness noun
• unshadily adverb
• unshadiness noun
• unshady 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, beyond (the specified age); more than.

   on the shady side of 40.

Example Sentences

They strategically placed some of the tall plants to screen unsightly views and create shady moments.

From Los Angeles Times

Hunkering down in a shady patch in Santa Park is Adita from London, who expected to find temperatures under 20C here.

From BBC

“All of this shady stuff is happening because there are essentially no rules for presidential library donations.”

From Los Angeles Times

His research often embarrassed the authorities, who were forced to admit that some of the shady tactics he revealed were used in real-life espionage.

From BBC

Native irises prefer shadier conditions than their cousins, the taller bearded irises that like full sun, but over time the plants will multiply so you can increase your holdings.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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