shady

From shade +‎ -y. Compare Saterland Frisian skaadich, skaddich (“shady”), German schattig (“shady”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈʃeɪdi/

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• Rhymes: -eɪdi

shady (comparative shadier, superlative shadiest)

1. Abounding in shades.
2. Causing shade.
   • Bible, Job xl. 22

     The shady trees cover him with their shadow.

3. Overspread with shade; sheltered from the glare of light or sultry heat.
   • Francis Bacon

     Cast it also that you may have rooms shady for summer and warm for winter.

4. (informal) Not trustworthy; disreputable.

   He is a shady character.

   • 2009: Stuart Heritage, Hecklerspray, Friday the 22^nd of May in 2009 at 1 o’clock p.m., “Jon & Kate Latest: People You Don’t Know Do Crap You Don’t Care About”

     Jon & Kate Plus 8 is a show based on two facts: 1) Jon and Kate Gosselin have eight children, and 2) the word ‘Kate’ rhymes with the word ‘eight’. One suspects that if Kate were ever to have another child, a shady network executive would urge her to put it in a binbag with a brick and drop it down a well. But this is just a horrifying tangent.

5. (Britain, slang) Mean, cruel.

   Don't be shady, give us a go.

   • 2006 May 24, Saucy Jack, “BB7: Did Shabazz just deserve that?”, in uk.media.tv.misc, Usenet‎:

     They were being proper shady to him. Even if you don't like someone, locking them out, stealing their clothes and ganging up on them to take the piss is just childish.

   • 2007, Grace Dent, Diary of a Chav 2: Slinging the Bling:

     I didn't even ask her to be in the 'Increase the Peace' campaign, which was well shady, 'cos if anyone knows anything about rudes and violence and getting dragged into stuff it's Uma.

   • 2007, Chastity Danielle Infinity, Jamo Lorswal, A Rose So That It May Rain, page 155:

     "Don't be shady," she said, "You know I always pay up."

• (not trustworthy): corrupt, dodgy, dubious, equivocal, seedy, sketchy, suspicious

• dashy