Alley

Pronunciation: /ˈæli/

Definitions of alley

noun a bowling alley or skittle alley

Example Sentences

A1 I walked down the narrow alley to get to the bakery.

A2 The children played hide and seek in the alley behind the school.

B1 The detective followed the suspect into a dark alleyway.

B2 The alley was lined with quaint shops and cafes, creating a charming atmosphere.

C1 The alley was a shortcut that led to a secluded park in the middle of the city.

C2 The alleyway was filled with graffiti art, showcasing the talent of local street artists.

Examples of alley in a Sentence

formal The narrow alley was lined with old brick buildings.

informal Let's take a shortcut through the alley.

slang I heard there's a cool speakeasy hidden in that alley.

figurative He felt like he was stuck in a dark alley with no way out.

Grammatical Forms of alley

• plural: alleys
• comparative: more alley
• superlative: most alley
• present tense: alley
• future tense: will alley
• perfect tense: have alled
• continuous tense: is alleying
• singular: alley
• positive degree: alley
• infinitive: to alley
• gerund: alleying
• participle: alled

Origin and Evolution of alley

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Old French

Story behind the word: The word 'alley' is believed to have originated from the Old French word 'alee' or 'allee' meaning 'walking or passage', which in turn came from the Latin word 'ambulare' meaning 'to walk'.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'alley' has come to refer to a narrow passageway between or behind buildings, often used for pedestrian traffic or as a service road. It can also refer to a narrow street or pathway, especially in urban areas.