alley

¹

[ al-ee ]

noun

plural alleys.

1. a passage, as through a continuous row of houses, permitting access from the street to backyards, garages, etc.
2. a narrow back street.
3. a walk, as in a garden, enclosed with hedges or shrubbery.
4. Bowling.
   1. a long, narrow, wooden lane or floor along which the ball is rolled.
   2. (often plural) a building for bowling.
   3. bowling green ( defs ).
5. Tennis. the space on each side of a tennis court between the doubles sideline and the service or singles sideline.
6. Rare. an aisle.

alley

²

[ al-ee ]

noun

Chiefly Northeastern U.S.

plural alleys.

1. a choice, large playing marble.

alley

¹

/ ˈælɪ /

noun

1. a narrow lane or passage, esp one between or behind buildings
2. See bowling alley
3. tennis the space between the singles and doubles sidelines
4. a walk in a park or garden, esp one lined with trees or bushes
5. up one's alley or down one's alley
   See street

alley

²

/ ˈælɪ /

noun

1. a large playing marble

Word History and Origins

Origin of alley¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English al(e)y, from Middle French alee “walk, passage,” noun use of feminine of ale, past participle of aler “to walk,” probably from unattested Vulgar Latin allārī, from allātus, past participle of afferre “to bring”; amble

Origin of alley²

First recorded in 1710–20; probably al(abaster) + -y ², spelling to conform with alley ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of alley¹

C14: from Old French alee, from aler to go, ultimately from Latin ambulāre to walk

Origin of alley²

C18: shortened and changed from alabaster

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. up / down one's alley, Informal. in keeping with or satisfying one's abilities, interests, or tastes:

   If you like science fiction, this book will be right up your alley.

More idioms and phrases containing alley

In addition to the idiom beginning with alley , also see blind alley ; right up one's alley .

Synonym Study

See street.

Example Sentences

The latter here is represented via a large puppet created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, and the walk-through experience will take us from taverns to the back alley of a marketplace to the beholder’s lair.

From Los Angeles Times

They fled in the hair mogul’s car and dumped the knife in a hole and tossed their clothes near a bowling alley.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a warehouse-like space that sat between the alley of an apartment complex, a trailer park and a gas station.

From Los Angeles Times

When out and about at a bar, or at a bowling alley, the couple say that when people rudely stare at them, they wish they'd just say, "Hi."

From Salon

Just as queer Chicagoans throughout the ages before me risked their lives to squeeze down an alley and party at the Dill Pickle Club and drink illegal liquor, today we are still at the clubs.

From Salon