👉 In the context of linguistics, "shady" typically refers to something that is not entirely clear or obvious. It can also imply a lack of light or visibility, and it may be used metaphorically to describe an aspect of someone's character that is hidden or unobservable. For example, in a professional setting, someone might be described as having "a shady reputation" if they have a bad track record with certain types of clients or work-related issues.