noun
Uncommon
shale
shayl
Shale (noun) means a soft, fine-grained sedimentary rock that splits easily into thin layers. Example: “The cliff face was made of crumbling grey shale.”
noun
1
A soft, fine-grained sedimentary rock that splits easily into thin layers.
"The cliff face was made of crumbling grey shale."
"As on all large green roofs, the soil is not dirt exactly but a gravel-like growing medium of granulated pumice, shales, clays and other minerals."
— Patricia Leigh Brown, The Window Box Gets Some Tough Competition (2007)
2
Refers to the shale oil and gas industry.
"The state's economy boomed thanks to shale."
How to use shale
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA layered rock that splits easily, or, in energy terms, the industry built around extracting oil and gas from it.
Common pairings
shale rock
shale gas
shale oil
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like shale.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- shales
- Third person singular
- shales
- Past tense
- shaled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cliff face was made of crumbling grey _____.
Etymology
From Old English scealu ("shell, husk"), related to "shell" and a doublet of "scale".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for shale
See all rhymes for shale →Frequently asked questions
What does “shale” mean?
The word “shale” means a soft, fine-grained sedimentary rock that splits easily into thin layers. In plain terms, a layered rock that splits easily, or, in energy terms, the industry built around extracting oil and gas from it.
How do you pronounce “shale”?
“Shale” is pronounced shayl (/ʃeɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “shale” in a sentence?
Here is “shale” used in a sentence: “The cliff face was made of crumbling grey shale.”
What part of speech is “shale”?
“Shale” is a noun.
Where does the word “shale” come from?
The word “shale” comes from Old English. From Old English scealu ("shell, husk"), related to "shell" and a doublet of "scale".
Is “shale” a common word?
“Shale” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “shale” have?
“Shale” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, fine-grained sedimentary rock that splits easily into thin layers.
What is the difference between shale and slate?
Shale is a soft, fine-grained sedimentary rock that splits easily into thin layers, while slate is a harder metamorphic rock formed when shale is subjected to heat and pressure. Slate is generally more durable and used in roofing and flooring, whereas shale is softer and more easily broken.
What does 'shale' refer to in the energy industry?
In the energy industry, 'shale' refers to the shale oil and gas industry, which extracts oil and natural gas trapped within shale rock formations.
Why does shale split into layers so easily?
Shale is fine-grained and sedimentary, meaning it forms from layers of compacted mud and clay, which gives it a natural tendency to split along thin, flat layers.
