alley
nounnouncommon in dialogue
- //ˈæl.i//
A narrow street or passageway, especially one through the middle of a block giving access to the rear of lots of buildings.
noun
- 1
A narrow street or passageway, especially one through the middle of a block giving access to the rear of lots of buildings.
The parking lot to my friend's apartment building is in the alley.
- 2
The area between the outfielders.
He hit one deep into the alley.
- 3
An establishment where bowling is played.
- 4
An elongated wooden strip of floor along which a bowling ball is rolled.
- 5
The extra area between the sidelines or tramlines on a tennis court that is used for doubles matches.
- 6
A walk or passage in a garden or park, bordered by rows of trees or bushes.
I know each lane and every alley green.
- 7
A passageway between rows of pews in a church.
- 8
Any passage having the entrance represented as wider than the exit, so as to give the appearance of length.
- 9
The space between two rows of compositors' stands in a printing office.
- 10
informalA group of clowns; the collective noun for clowns.
[…] alley of clowns had sprung like a fungus growth from the dung heap of the First World War.
“[…] Something must've happened to him when he was little.” “Which would give him a reason to hate them,” Oliver replied and was pushed aside by an alley of clowns. “Hey!” “Sorry, kid. Didn't see you there,” one clown called over.
Etymology
From Middle English aleye, from Anglo-Norman aleie, feminine of alé, past participle of aler (“to go”) (French aller). Doublet of allée.
noun
- 1
A marble (small ball used in games).
Etymology
Diminutive of alabaster, from which they were once made.
Forms
- plural
- alleys
alley · A narrow street or passageway, especially one through the middle of a block giving access to the rear of lots of buildings.
Alley · A surname.alliance · The state of being allied.Alliance · A former unincorporated community in Humboldt County,…