Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

valley

/ˈvæli/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.72 in modern English

Syllables
val-ley
IPA
/ˈvæli/
12
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An elongated depression cast between hills or mountains, often with a river flowing through it.

noun

An area which drains itself into a river.

verb

To form the shape of a valley.

Intransitive verb

name

A surname from landforms.

Countable

name

A placename:

Countable; Uncountable

name

A placename:

Countable; Uncountable

name

A placename:

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English valeye, valey, from Anglo-Norman valey, Old French valee (compare French vallée), from Latin vallēs/vallis. Doublet of vlei and vly. Displaced native dene, from dene and partially displaced native dale, from dæl.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: valeye, valey, valee, vallēs

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈvæli/
  • British English: /ˈvæli/

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Aber Valley Aire Valley Alfeios Valley Alpheus Valley Amargosa Valley Angas Valley Arcadia Valley Back Valley

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Homonyms

Antonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce valley?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈvæli/.
What does valley mean?
An elongated depression cast between hills or mountains, often with a river flowing through it.
Where does valley come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce valley

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “valley”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈvæli/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “valley”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “valley” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.