vale

American  

[veyl] / veɪl /

noun

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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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

A small number of cases have been identified across three households in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, with officials warning the infection may be spreading locally.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

The affair over Lord Mandelson's security vetting is dominating headlines during the BBC's visit to Hampton Vale.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Elias said "Evan Williams is the business he has the training knowledge and there is no-one else to take over this business" which was described as the biggest rural employer in the Vale of Glamorgan.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

In the 1990s, the celebrated English garden designer and writer, Penelope Hobhouse, built a garden at Bettiscombe in the Marshwood Vale on the grounds of a former coach house.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

The Vale cannot spare a thousand swords, nor even one, Uncle, she said.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin