English Reference
Noun

alleyway

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈæɫiˌweɪ/ UK /ˈælɪwˌeɪ/ al·ley·way UK spelling alleyway's, alleyway's

n.a narrow path or passage between buildings. It is usually smaller and less busy than a main street.

n.a narrow passage or walkway between or behind buildings. Often used to describe a secluded or less-traveled route within an urban environment.


SIMPLE

The cat ran down the dark alleyway.

CONTEXTUAL

The delivery truck had to park in the alleyway because the main street was too crowded.

COMPLEX

The artist spent hours sketching the intricate brickwork and faded advertisements that lined the narrow alleyway behind the old market square.

The KFC has an alleyway down one side – along which people ran as they passed the male grooming shop – and faces on to Bromley’s High Street.

The Guardian· 10 Sept 2026

From alley + way.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated