Alley: Definition, Usage & Common Examples

Meaning 1：narrow street (alley)

alley 🔊

/ˈæl.i/

A narrow path between buildings, often used for walking or as a shortcut.

Alley definition illustrated: a narrow cobblestone street between European buildings with flowers.

narrow street 🔊

➕

/ˈnær.oʊ striːt/

A narrow lane or passageway between or behind buildings, typically for pedestrians or as a service route.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'alee' (a walking or passage), ultimately from Latin 'ambulare' (to walk).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'alley' as 'all' + 'ey' (a way). It's the 'way' or narrow street that 'all' locals can walk through.

📖 Example

We took a shortcut through the alley to get to the park faster. 🔊 We took a shortcut through the narrow street to get to the park faster.

🔗 Collocations

blind alley – A street with no exit; metaphorically, a course of action that leads nowhere.

back alley – A narrow street behind buildings, often associated with secrecy or less desirable activities.

alley cat – A homeless cat that lives in urban alleys.

🔄 Synonyms

lane (n.) – A narrow road, especially in a rural area or between buildings.

passageway (n.) – A way for passing through; a corridor or narrow path.

backstreet (n.) – A small, quiet street away from main roads.

🚫 Antonyms

boulevard (n.) – A wide, important street in a city, usually lined with trees.

avenue (n.) – A broad road in a town or city, often with trees or buildings along its sides.

🌱 Derivatives

alleyway (n.) – Another term for an alley, emphasizing its function as a passage.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'alley' evokes specific urban imagery. In modern culture, it frequently appears in crime novels and noir films as a setting for clandestine meetings, adding suspense. Notably, it's central to sports: 'bowling alley' is a standard term, and in basketball, 'alley-oop' describes a high pass dunked by a teammate.