dale
Dale (noun) means a valley, especially a broad, gentle one. Example: “They hiked through the misty dales of northern England.”
How to use dale
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA valley — the word survives mostly in place names and the phrase "hill and dale."
Word forms
dales plural, dales plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They hiked through the misty _____ of northern England.
Etymology
From Old English dæl, going back to a common Germanic root for "valley."
Related words
Rhymes for dale
See all rhymes for dale →Frequently asked questions
What does “dale” mean?
The word “dale” means a valley, especially a broad, gentle one. In plain terms, a valley — the word survives mostly in place names and the phrase "hill and dale.".
How do you pronounce “dale”?
“Dale” is pronounced deh-oo (/deu/ in IPA).
How do you use “dale” in a sentence?
Here is “dale” used in a sentence: “They hiked through the misty dales of northern England.”
What part of speech is “dale”?
“Dale” is a noun.
Where does the word “dale” come from?
The word “dale” comes from Old English. From Old English dæl, going back to a common Germanic root for "valley.".
Is “dale” a common word?
“Dale” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a dale and a valley?
Valley is the standard, everyday word for a low area between hills. A dale is also a valley, but the word suggests a broad, gentle one and survives mainly in northern England, in poetry, and in place names such as the Yorkshire Dales.
What is the difference between a dale, a dell, and a glen?
All three are kinds of valley. A dale is typically broad and gentle, a dell is small and often wooded, and a glen is a narrow valley, the word being characteristic of Scotland and Ireland.