shadier; shadiest
1
: producing or affording shade
2
: sheltered from the sun's rays
3
a
: of questionable merit : uncertain, unreliable
shadily adverb
shadiness noun

Examples of shady in a Sentence

Their backyard is nice and shady. I don't trust him. He seems like a pretty shady character.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hakone grass prefers moist, shady conditions. Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025 Because of the switch in Jackson’s practice status after the fact, some questioned if the team was trying to get away with something shady. Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025 At the time, many bettors turned to social media to say that something shady occurred regarding prop bets involving his stats for that night. Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025 This is a deciduous vine that prefers a shady exposure, sips water, and will happily clamber up the branches of a native oak or any other tree. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shady

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shady was in 1579

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Cite this Entry

“Shady.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shady. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

shady

adjective
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 adverb
shadiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on shady

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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