noun
Uncommon
vale
vayl
Vale (noun) means a valley, especially a wide, low stretch of land between hills. Example: “The village sat quietly in a green vale below the mountains.”
noun
1
A valley, especially a wide, low stretch of land between hills.
"The village sat quietly in a green vale below the mountains."
"Sheep grazed peacefully in the vale beside the winding river."
"A thin mist hung over the vale at dawn."
intj
1
Farewell; goodbye (used in formal or poetic contexts).
"He raised his glass and said simply, "Vale, old friend.""
""Vale!" he called as the ship slowly left the harbour."
How to use vale
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA poetic or old-fashioned word for a valley, or a formal way to say goodbye.
When to use it
Mostly literary or poetic — "valley" is the everyday word.
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Word forms
- Plural
- vales
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The village sat quietly in a green _____ below the mountains.
Etymology
From Old French val ("valley"), from Latin vallis. It displaced the native Old English word "dell" in this sense.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for vale
See all rhymes for vale →Frequently asked questions
What does “vale” mean?
The word “vale” means a valley, especially a wide, low stretch of land between hills. In plain terms, a poetic or old-fashioned word for a valley, or a formal way to say goodbye.
How do you pronounce “vale”?
“Vale” is pronounced vayl (/veɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “vale” in a sentence?
Here is “vale” used in a sentence: “The village sat quietly in a green vale below the mountains.”
What part of speech is “vale”?
Depending on how it is used, “vale” can be a noun and an intj.
Where does the word “vale” come from?
The word “vale” comes from Latin. From Old French val ("valley"), from Latin vallis. It displaced the native Old English word "dell" in this sense.
Is “vale” a common word?
“Vale” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “vale” have?
“Vale” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a valley, especially a wide, low stretch of land between hills.
What is the difference between vale and valley?
Vale and valley both refer to a low stretch of land between hills, but vale is a more literary or poetic term often found in older or formal writing, while valley is the everyday word used in modern speech. Vale frequently appears in place names and classic literature.
When is vale used as a farewell rather than a landform?
Vale can also function as an interjection meaning farewell or goodbye, typically used in formal or poetic contexts, especially drawing on its Latin origin. This sense is distinct from and unrelated to its meaning as a valley.
Is vale a common word in everyday English?
Vale is relatively uncommon in everyday modern English and appears mostly in poetry, literature, place names, and formal or ceremonial farewells rather than in casual conversation.
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