A dubious, suspicious, or potentially immoral or unlawful person. The security guard caught a shady character hanging around the back entrance to the warehouse. I've always thought he was a bit of a shady character, so I was a bit nervous when Janet said she was going to work for him.

What does shady mean in slang?

Shade also calls up, and may likely be taken from, the slang adjective shady, characterizing something or someone as “weird” and “dumb” since the 19th century, evolving to “questionable” or “objectionable” in decades since.

What is the meaning of shady guy?

4 Informal dubious or questionable as to honesty or legality.