alley
/ˈæl.i/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.87 in modern English
8
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
2
Syllables
4
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A narrow street or passageway, especially one through the middle of a block giving access to the rear of lots of buildings.
noun
The area between the outfielders.
noun
An establishment where bowling is played.
noun
The extra area between the sidelines or tramlines on a tennis court that is used for doubles matches.
noun
A passageway between rows of pews in a church.
noun
Any passage having the entrance represented as wider than the exit, so as to give the appearance of length.
Example Sentences
- "The parking lot to my friend's apartment building is in the alley."
- "He hit one deep into the alley."
- "I know each lane and every alley green."
- "[…] alley of clowns had sprung like a fungus growth from the dung heap of the First World War."
- "“[…] Something must've happened to him when he was little.” “Which would give him a reason to hate them,” Oliver replied and was pushed aside by an alley of clowns. “Hey!” “Sorry, kid. Didn't see you there,” one clown called over."
Etymology
From Middle English aleye, from Anglo-Norman aleie, feminine of alé, past participle of aler (“to go”) (French aller). Doublet of allée.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: aleye, aleie