alley

¹ American  

[al-ee] / ˈæl i /

noun

plural

alleys

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.

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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.

plural

alleys

1. a choice, large playing marble.

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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

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alley ² British  

/ ˈælɪ /

noun

1. a large playing marble

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alley More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing alley

• blind alley
• right up one's alley

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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.

Related Words

See street.

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”; amble

Origin of alley²

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

Example Sentences

To put an exact time stamp on it, I signed the lease of my first apartment in Little Armenia because the bowling alley from “The Big Lebowski” was only two blocks away.

From Los Angeles Times

It was enough of a trend that Glaser joked about an area of the audience represented by “Hamnet” and other wrenching films, which she dubbed “traumatized woman alley.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Other theater owners are adding playgrounds, bowling alleys and stand-alone bars to their cinemas.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Today, more than 7,000 people live on the same piece of land. Streets are narrow, alleys are cramped -- there is nowhere else," Azzeh said, referring to the camp.

From Barron's

The attack didn’t occur in a dark alley or at the margins of society but in daylight at one of Australia’s most famous public spaces.

From The Wall Street Journal