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Alley Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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alley

[หˆรฆli ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in a city

A narrow street or passageway between or behind city buildings, often serving as a pedestrian walkway.

Synonyms

lane, passage, pathway.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
alley

Used to describe a narrow street or pathway between buildings, often in urban areas. It can sometimes have a negative connotation due to associations with crime or disrepair.

  • The cat darted into the alley, disappearing into the shadows.
  • They walked down a dark alley, cautious of their surroundings.
lane

Commonly refers to a narrow road, often in rural areas, that can accommodate only one line of traffic or a small pathway usually associated with a specific function, like bike lanes.

  • They took the scenic lane that wound through the countryside.
  • Cyclists are supposed to use the bike lane for safety.
passage

Typically used to describe a way or corridor for passing through, often inside buildings or ships. It can also denote an abstract transition from one state to another.

  • There is a secret passage behind the bookshelf.
  • The passage from youth to adulthood can be challenging.
pathway

Often refers to a trail or path, either paved or natural, usually in a garden, park, or countryside, and is generally wider and more pleasant than an alley or lane.

  • The pathway through the park is lined with beautiful trees.
  • Follow the pathway to reach the lake.

Examples of usage

  • I walked down the alley to get to the back entrance of the restaurant.
  • The cat darted into the alley and disappeared from sight.
Context #2 | Noun

in a bowling alley

A long, narrow lane for bowling, typically with wooden lanes and pin setups at the end.

Synonyms

bowling lane, bowling track.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
alley

In American English, 'alley' can also refer to the playing lane in bowling.

  • He rolled the ball straight down the alley to knock all the pins over.
  • The bowling alley was packed with people on a Saturday night.
bowling lane

Specifically used in the context of bowling, this refers to the individual lanes on which the bowling balls are rolled.

  • Each player took turns rolling their ball down the bowling lane.
  • The bowling lane was freshly polished for the tournament.
bowling track

Less commonly used, this term can also refer to the lanes in a bowling alley. It's more often used in certain regions or specialized contexts.

  • He carefully lined up his shot and aimed for the center of the bowling track.
  • The bowling track was equipped with automatic scoring systems.

Examples of usage

  • Let's go to the bowling alley this weekend.
  • She bowled a strike in her first turn at the alley.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'alley'

The word 'alley' originated from Middle English 'alei', from Old French 'alai' (later 'allรฉe'), meaning 'a walking or passage', ultimately derived from Latin 'ambulare' meaning 'to walk'. Over time, the term evolved to refer to narrow streets or passages, both in urban and recreational settings.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,058 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.