vale

American  

[veyl] / veɪl /

noun

vales plural

1. a valley.

2. the world, or mortal or earthly life.

   this vale of tears.

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vale ¹ British  

/ veɪl /

noun

1. a literary word for valley

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vale ² British  

/ ˈvɑːleɪ /

1. farewell; goodbye

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• vales
  plural

Etymology

Origin of vale

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French val, from Latin vallem, accusative of vallis, vallēs “valley”

Explanation

A vale is a long depression in the land, usually between two hills and containing a river. A vale is a valley. If you've ever gone to a place where there are mountains, you've seen plenty of mountain ranges, mountaintops, and valleys. Valleys are the low points between hills, and they are also known as vales. A vale often contains a river, because it's the lowest point and therefore somewhere water can settle and flow. If you climb a mountain, you'll see many vales, which are often long and winding. The hills and vales of an area are usually gorgeous and breathtaking.

Example Sentences

He’s just some mud-brown monstrosity roaming the Vale of Arryn and treating livestock like campfire marshmallows.

From Salon • Jun. 24, 2026

Last March Roberts was announced as a second-place candidate for Reform in the constituency of Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg, which spans Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

Ashleigh Stanley did not bother with make-up when she tied the knot with childhood sweetheart Jake Stanley, 29, at Llanerch Vineyard in Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

Emma Watson, director of Glenburnie Lodge in Wenvoe, Vale of Glamorgan, said she was delighted to make it an "occasion to remember" for their "much-loved" resident and his family.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

At nightfall of the fifth day of the march from Morgul Vale they made their last camp, and set fires about it of such dead wood and heath as they could find.

From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien