First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1alley
noun al·ley \ˈa-lē\
plural alleys
Definition of ALLEY
1
: a garden or park walk bordered by trees or bushes
2
a (1) : a grassed enclosure for bowling or skittles (2) : a hardwood lane for bowling; also : a room or building housing a group of such lanes b : the space on each side of a tennis doubles court between the sideline and the service sideline c : an area in a baseball outfield between two outfielders when they are in normal positions
3
: a narrow street; especially : a thoroughfare through the middle of a block giving access to the rear of lots or buildings
— up one's alley also down one's alley
: suited to one's own tastes or abilities
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Origin of ALLEY
Middle English, from Anglo-French alee, from aler to go
2alley
noun
plural alleys
Definition of ALLEY
: a playing marble; especially : one of superior quality
Origin of ALLEY
by shortening and alteration from alabaster
First Known Use: 1720
ALLEY[1] Defined for Kids
alley
noun al·ley \ˈa-lē\
plural al·leys
Definition of ALLEY for Kids
1
: a narrow passageway between buildings
2
: a special narrow wooden floor on which balls are rolled in bowling
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