different between secretive vs shady

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English secretife, equivalent to secret +? -ive.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?si?k??t?v/

Adjective

secretive (comparative more secretive, superlative most secretive)

1. Having an inclination to secrecy

Synonyms

• furtive
• sly
• See also Thesaurus:covert

Translations

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /s??k?i?t?v/

Adjective

secretive (not comparable)

1. Relating to secretion

Anagrams

• receivest, resective

Italian

Adjective

secretive

1. feminine plural of secretivo

Anagrams

• riceveste

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??e?di/
• Rhymes: -e?di

Adjective

shady (comparative shadier, superlative shadiest)

1. Abounding in shades.
2. Causing shade.

   • The shady trees cover him with their shadow.

3. Overspread with shade; sheltered from the glare of light or sultry heat.
   • 1625, Francis Bacon, Of Building

     you may have rooms both for summer and winter; 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.

Synonyms

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

Translations

Anagrams

• dashy