alley

¹ American  

[al-ee] / ˈæl i /

noun

alleys plural

1. a passage, as through a continuous row of houses, permitting access from the street to backyards, garages, etc.

2. a narrow back street.

3. a walk, as in a garden, enclosed with hedges or shrubbery.

4. Bowling.

   1. a long, narrow, wooden lane or floor along which the ball is rolled.

   2. (often plural) a building for bowling.

   3. bowling green.

5. Tennis. the space on each side of a tennis court between the doubles sideline and the service or singles sideline.

6. Rare. an aisle.

---

idioms

1. up / down one's alley, in keeping with or satisfying one's abilities, interests, or tastes.

   If you like science fiction, this book will be right up your alley.

alley ² American  

[al-ee] / ˈæl i /

noun

Chiefly Northeastern U.S.

alleys plural

1. a choice, large playing marble.

---

alley ¹ British  

/ ˈælɪ /

noun

1. a narrow lane or passage, esp one between or behind buildings

2. See bowling alley

3. tennis the space between the singles and doubles sidelines

4. a walk in a park or garden, esp one lined with trees or bushes

5. See street

---

alley ² British  

/ ˈælɪ /

noun

1. a large playing marble

---

alley More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing alley

• blind alley
• right up one's alley

---

Usage

What is an alley? An alley is a narrow passage between buildings or other structures. The word alleyway means the same thing. Alley can also refer to a narrow path or passage behind a row of houses, such as one that allows access to garages and back yards. An alley can also be a narrow street or lane—the word alley might even be used in the name of such a street, as in Elfreth’s Alley. All of these senses of alley refer to passages that are outside—you wouldn’t normally call a narrow passage an alley if it is indoors. The term bowling alley refers to a building with lanes for bowling—which can also be called alleys. The proper plural of alley is alleys. Example: We took a shortcut through the narrow alley between the shops.

Synonym Usage

See street.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• alleys
  plural

Etymology

Origin of alley¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English al(e)y, from Middle French alee “walk, passage,” noun use of feminine of ale, past participle of aler “to walk,” probably from unattested Vulgar Latin allārī, from allātus, past participle of afferre “to bring”; see also amble

Origin of alley²

First recorded in 1710–20; probably al(abaster) + -y ², spelling to conform with alley ¹

Explanation

An alley is a narrow street with walls or buildings on both sides, like the dark alley everyone warns you not to walk down alone. Alley comes from the Old French word alee, meaning "a path, passage, way, corridor," which itself likely comes from the Latin word ambulare "to walk." That sums up what an alley is — a street that is usually too narrow for cars, though it is easy to walk there. However, alleys are often associated with danger and crime because they don't have much light shining in them, and it is easy for shady characters to hide.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

alley alleys

On Anthony Stewart's form was a note: "Does not use alley."

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

One of the public phone boxes near the alley, photographed during the 1984 investigation.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

They say this place is for tourists, but it’s been tucked into an alley off Puerta del Sol, next to a church of the same name since 1894.

From Salon ● Jun. 23, 2026

He gave it a name—the SuperPretzel—and he wouldn’t end his workday until he had made at least one sale, even if it meant stopping by a bowling alley or convenience store on the way home.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026

Jason turned left off the high street and into an alley.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

This made alleys community destinations and social hubs.

From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2026

They allege Lucky Strike uses a monopoly scheme to gobble up mom-and-pop bowling alleys and transform them into a “mousetrap” model, luring people in just to upcharge them on shoe rentals and concessions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

"It took me to a few alleys I'd never been to," says Peter Tidmarsh, a local.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

What I’ve found over the years is that many of those living in tents and cars and alleys and parks are damaged in numerous ways.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2026

There is more traffic in this section of the Silk Road, a jumble of anonymous users crowding into alleys and in front of doorways, creating the sense of a night market.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu