alleyway

[al-ee-wey]

noun

1. an alley or lane.

2. a narrow passageway.

alleyway

/ ˈælɪˌweɪ /

noun

1. a narrow passage; alley

Word History and Origins

Origin of alleyway¹

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90; alley ¹ + way ¹

Example Sentences

He said another volunteer had told him there was a "suspicious-looking man" who claimed to have been looking for a nearby pub before "disappearing" down the alleyway next to the building.

From BBC

He and his new girlfriend, Jimenez, then took Vargas to an alleyway in a nearby industrial area and began beating her.

From Los Angeles Times

“It used to feel like a mini-Palestine here. Streets, alleyways, shops and cafes — everything was named after places back home,” Ayoub said.

From Los Angeles Times

In Sydney's historic Rocks precinct, a cobblestoned alleyway has been transformed into a winter wonderland for two weeks of Christmas in July markets, complete with fake snow machines churning specks of foam onto passersby.

From BBC

"We walked through the dust of ruins, past collapsed buildings and tents everywhere: in courtyards, alleyways, on the streets and on the beach," Pizzaballa said at the end of his four-day visit.

From BBC

When To Use

What is an alleyway?

An alleyway is a narrow passage between buildings or other structures.Alleyway 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.The word alley means the same thing.Example: We took a shortcut through the narrow alleyway between the shops.