alley
38 synonyms and 0 antonyms for alley, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A narrow passage or street between or behind buildings.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use alley
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French alee, "a going, a walk," from the verb aler, "to go" — the same root that gives French its verb "aller" and English the related word "allée."
Full origin of alley →Frequently asked questions
What does “alley” mean?
The word “alley” means a narrow passage or street between or behind buildings. In plain terms, a narrow passage between buildings, or a long straight lane used in games like bowling.
How do you pronounce “alley”?
“Alley” is pronounced AL-ee (/ˈæl.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “alley” in a sentence?
Here is “alley” used in a sentence: “The cat disappeared down a dark alley.”
What is another word for “alley”?
Words with a similar meaning to “alley” include alleyway, backs, bunnyrun, chare, chore and close.
What part of speech is “alley”?
“Alley” is a noun.
Where does the word “alley” come from?
The word “alley” comes from Old French. From Old French alee, "a going, a walk," from the verb aler, "to go" — the same root that gives French its verb "aller" and English the related word "allée.".
Is “alley” a common word?
“Alley” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “alley” have?
“Alley” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a narrow passage or street between or behind buildings.
What is the difference between an alley and a street?
A street is a public road, usually wide enough for vehicles and lined with buildings, while an alley is a narrow passage running between or behind buildings. Alleys are typically smaller and quieter, used for access or deliveries rather than through traffic.
What is the difference between an alley and a lane?
Both are narrow ways, but an alley is usually a narrow passage between or behind buildings in a town, while a lane can be a narrow country road or a marked division of a wider road. "Alley" is more strongly associated with urban back-passages.
What is a bowling alley?
A bowling alley is the long, narrow lane down which a ball is rolled in the game of bowling, and by extension the building that houses such lanes. This is one of the established senses of "alley," alongside a narrow passage between buildings.