vale

American  

[veyl] / veɪl /

noun

vales plural

1. a valley.

2. the world, or mortal or earthly life.

   this vale of tears.

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vale ¹ British  

/ veɪl /

noun

1. a literary word for valley

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vale ² British  

/ ˈvɑːleɪ /

1. farewell; goodbye

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• vales
  plural

Etymology

Origin of vale

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French val, from Latin vallem, accusative of vallis, vallēs “valley”

Explanation

A vale is a long depression in the land, usually between two hills and containing a river. A vale is a valley. If you've ever gone to a place where there are mountains, you've seen plenty of mountain ranges, mountaintops, and valleys. Valleys are the low points between hills, and they are also known as vales. A vale often contains a river, because it's the lowest point and therefore somewhere water can settle and flow. If you climb a mountain, you'll see many vales, which are often long and winding. The hills and vales of an area are usually gorgeous and breathtaking.

Example Sentences

“The NRF forces are present in all strategic positions across the vale to continue the fight,” the group said in a statement on Twitter.

From Washington Times • Sep. 6, 2021

“Life,” he said, “is a vale of disaster.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2019

And why should the Emerald Isle, so betrayed, not have become this vale of tears?

From The New Yorker • Aug. 22, 2018

And then all the clouds rolled away, and the white sun shone, and at his command the vale of Gorgoroth became a garden of flowers and trees and brought forth fruit.

From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien

“I don’t know that it can really be explained beyond that—just a middle-aged man trying his best to make his way through this vale of tears.”

From "Louisiana's Way Home" by Kate DiCamillo