shale
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of shale
1740–50; origin uncertain; compare obsolete shale to split (said of stone), to shell, derivative of shale shell, husk, Old English scealu shell, husk; see scale 2
Compare meaning
How does shale compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Vocabulary lists containing shale
Earth Science - Middle School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Earth Science - High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Geology - Middle School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Following the shale boom, many people thought that the U.S. no longer needed a SPR at all, said Robert McNally, president at Rapidan Energy Group and a former energy adviser to President George W. Bush.
From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026
The calculations around the reserve have changed as the so-called shale revolution picked up speed in the 2010s, Piper Sandler’s Stuart said.
From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026
It’s a shale play benefiting from technology developed in the U.S.
From Barron's • May 15, 2026
But there is also a structural reason: U.S. shale is a maturing resource with its best days of growth behind it.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026
The mountain was crisp with evergreens, which were luminous set against the browns and grays of shale and limestone.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
