adjective
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full of shade; shaded
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affording or casting a shade
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dim, quiet, or concealed
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informal dubious or questionable as to honesty or legality
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of shady
Explanation
Any place that's protected from the glare and heat of the sun is shady, as in a "shady nook." But as its darkened nature implies, shady has the equally popular meaning of "suspicious, dangerous, or deceitful." A "shady character" is up to no good. The metaphorical meaning of shady has long been embraced by slang. Since at least the 1950's, the phrase "got it made in the shade" means having a great and easy life or job (picture eastern sultans being shaded by servants holding giant leaves). The rap sultan Eminem calls his evil alter-ego "Slim Shady," conjuring up a devilish suggestion of the Prince of Darkness himself — someone who definitely lives in a shady neighborhood.
Vocabulary lists containing shady
"To an Athlete Dying Young" by A. E. Housman
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Way Off: Synonyms for "Wrong"
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Lights Out: Synonyms for "Dark"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After a pre-premiere bidding war results in a $75-million sale, “Medellin” debuts to a round of boos, leading shady businessman Yair Marx to renege on the deal.
From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026
In 2026, Didi still grows the best flowers, shady trees and chases squirrels away from her yard.
From Salon • May 9, 2026
While the amount being paid out is going up, the consumer group Which is concerned about what it calls "shady stuff going on in the industry".
From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026
Supporters argue that legalization decreases black-market activity, reducing consumers’ reliance on shady providers, creating a safer market while providing the government greater tax revenue and citizens greater freedom.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
I lead us over to a shady patch of grass and extend my right leg to stretch my calf.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
