noun
Common
glen
glehn
Glen (noun) means a narrow, secluded valley, especially in Scotland or Ireland. Example: “They hiked through a quiet glen surrounded by hills.”
noun
1
A narrow, secluded valley, especially in Scotland or Ireland.
"They hiked through a quiet glen surrounded by hills."
"A small stream ran through the bottom of the glen."
"Mist hung low over the glen as the sun came up."
How to use glen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small, narrow valley, often used in Scottish and Irish place names.
Common pairings
a wooded glen
deep glen
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Word forms
- Plural
- glens
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They hiked through a quiet _____ surrounded by hills.
Etymology
From Scottish Gaelic and Irish gleann, "mountain valley."
Related words
Rhymes for glen
See all rhymes for glen →Frequently asked questions
What does “glen” mean?
The word “glen” means a narrow, secluded valley, especially in Scotland or Ireland. In plain terms, a small, narrow valley, often used in Scottish and Irish place names.
How do you pronounce “glen”?
“Glen” is pronounced glehn (/ɡlɛn/ in IPA).
How do you use “glen” in a sentence?
Here is “glen” used in a sentence: “They hiked through a quiet glen surrounded by hills.”
What part of speech is “glen”?
“Glen” is a noun.
Where does the word “glen” come from?
The word “glen” comes from Scottish Gaelic. From Scottish Gaelic and Irish gleann, "mountain valley.".
Is “glen” a common word?
“Glen” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a glen and a valley?
A glen is a specific kind of valley: narrow, deep, and secluded, and the word is strongly associated with Scotland and Ireland. Valley is the general term for any low area between hills or mountains, of any size or shape.
What is the difference between a glen and a dale?
Both words describe valleys, but a glen is typically narrow and steep-sided and is linked to Scotland and Ireland, while a dale is a broader, more open valley associated with northern England. The difference reflects regional naming traditions rather than a strict geographic rule.
What is the difference between a glen and a strath?
In Scottish landscape terms, a glen is a narrow, enclosed valley, whereas a strath is a wider, flatter river valley. The distinction is mainly one of width: a strath is broad and gently sloping, a glen is deep and confined.
Why do so many Scottish place names begin with Glen?
Because glen is a common landscape word in Scotland, it appears in many place and brand names, such as Glencoe and Glenfinnan, describing the narrow valley the place occupies. The element comes from a Gaelic word meaning valley.
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