What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shady
Example
The park has many shady trees where you can relax. [shady: adjective]
Example
I don't trust that guy, he seems a bit shady. [shady: adjective]
Example
The company's business practices are a bit shady, if you ask me. [shady: adjective]
dubious
Example
I'm dubious about the success of this project. [dubious: adjective]
Example
The salesman's claims seemed dubious to me. [dubious: adjective]
Example
The politician's actions were seen as dubious by many people. [dubious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shady is more commonly used in everyday language than dubious, especially in informal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shady and dubious?
Dubious is more formal and academic than shady, and is often used in professional or technical writing.
