valley
VA-lee
Valley (noun) means a long, low area of land between hills or mountains, often with a river running through it. Example: “Mist settled over the valley every morning.”
noun
1
A long, low area of land between hills or mountains, often with a river running through it.
"Mist settled over the valley every morning."
"They hiked down into the valley to reach the village."
"A small river wound its way along the floor of the valley."
2
The V-shaped angle where two sloping roof sections meet.
"Water was pooling in the valley of the roof after the storm."
"Leaves collect in the valley where the two roofs join."
"The roofer replaced the lead lining in the valley to stop leaks."
How to use valley
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLow ground between hills, or the similarly-shaped dip where two roof slopes meet.
Common pairings
river valley
down in the valley
valley floor
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Word forms
- Plural
- valleys, vallies
- Third person singular
- valleys
- Past tense
- valleyed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Mist settled over the _____ every morning.
Etymology
From Old French valee, from Latin vallis.
Related words
Rhymes for valley
See all rhymes for valley →Frequently asked questions
What does “valley” mean?
The word “valley” means a long, low area of land between hills or mountains, often with a river running through it. In plain terms, low ground between hills, or the similarly-shaped dip where two roof slopes meet.
How do you pronounce “valley”?
“Valley” is pronounced VA-lee (/ˈvæli/ in IPA).
How do you use “valley” in a sentence?
Here is “valley” used in a sentence: “Mist settled over the valley every morning.”
What is another word for “valley”?
Words with a similar meaning to “valley” include combe, dale, dell, slade and vale.
What is the opposite of “valley”?
The opposite of “valley” — its antonyms — is levée.
What part of speech is “valley”?
“Valley” is a noun.
Where does the word “valley” come from?
The word “valley” comes from Latin. From Old French valee, from Latin vallis.
Is “valley” a common word?
“Valley” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between a valley and a canyon?
Both are low areas between higher land, but a canyon is deeper, narrower, and walled by steep, rocky cliffs, usually cut by a river through hard rock. A valley is generally wider, shallower, and more gently sloping, shaped by rivers or glaciers over a long period.
How are valleys formed?
Most valleys are carved slowly by rivers wearing away the land, creating a V-shape. Others are shaped by glaciers, which grind out wider, U-shaped valleys with flat floors. Some form when movements in the earth's crust drop a block of land between two raised, faulted areas.
What are the types of valley?
The two main types are V-shaped valleys, cut by rivers and narrow at the base, and U-shaped valleys, carved by glaciers with wide, flat floors and steep sides. Rift valleys, formed when land sinks between two fault lines, are a third widely recognised type.
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