alley

¹

[ al-ee ]

noun

, plural al·leys.

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 al·leys.

1. a choice, large playing marble.

alley

¹

/ ˈælɪ /

noun

1. a large playing marble

alley

²

/ 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

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

C18: shortened and changed from alabaster

Origin of alley²

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

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

He likened Clark’s skills to those of Johnny Mercer, the Tin Pan Alley icon who wrote “Moon River” and co-founded Capitol Records in 1942.

From Los Angeles Times

Afterward, Rivera told the deputies, the shooter climbed in the passenger side of a Cadillac that was waiting in a nearby alley and left.

From Los Angeles Times

In fact, some studies say that 70% of the world’s internet traffic goes through Ashburn and the surrounding area, which has been dubbed “Data Centre Alley”.

From BBC

An unknown person installed a game-hunting camera in the alley behind the elections office in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times

He waited until she was alone at a bus stop before confronting her, then lured her into a nearby alley where he launched a ferocious minute-long attack.

From BBC