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.

The first records of the word alleyway come from the late 1700s. The word alley is first recorded much earlier, in the 1300s, and comes from the Middle French alee, meaning “walk” or “passage,” from verb aler, “to walk.” The word way is used in the same way in similar compound words that refer to a lane or passage, including passageway, walkway, and pathway, all of which can be used as synonyms for alleyway in some cases.

However, while passageway and walkway can refer to indoor passages, alleyway typically refers to one that’s outside. In big cities, alleyways between buildings are often very narrow—wide enough to walk down but not drive. These kinds of alleyways are often depicted as dark, dangerous, or mysterious places—places where dangerous people might be lurking. In reality, they’re usually just places where businesses deposit their garbage in dumpsters.

What are some synonyms for alleyway?

• alley
• lane
• passage
• passageway
• pathway
• walk
• walkway

What are some words that share a root or word element with alleyway? 

• passageway
• pathway
• walkway

What are some words that often get used in discussing alleyway?

• narrow
• long
• dark
• back
• street

Alleyway is most commonly used to refer to the narrow passage between buildings or to the lane behind a row of houses.

hello look at how much progress i’ve made on my little back alleyway over the past few weeks pic.twitter.com/8CkdSrk5jE

— shield volcano fan account (@kingratbaby) May 23, 2020

Before and after! A recently completed alleyway refurbishment in Kensington #AlleywayRefurb #LiverpoolAlleyways #Alleyways #Transformation pic.twitter.com/5MmuSem72e

— Liverpool Alleyway Programme (@LiverpoolAlley1) November 26, 2020

Vivid shades of purple, yellow, and blue weave a stunning tapestry of murals hidden in an alleyway behind a small strip of shops in Lemon Grove. https://t.co/WKscLg63u0

— Atlas Obscura (@atlasobscura) August 14, 2020

Is alleyway used correctly in the following sentence? 

Please pull the car around back and park in the alleyway.