Word
alleyway
Phoneticsal·ley·way, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈæɫiˌweɪ/
UK/ˈælɪwˌeɪ/
Countable noun
Definition
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.
Examples
“The cat ran down the dark alleyway.”
“The delivery truck had to park in the alleyway because the main street was too crowded.”
“The artist spent hours sketching the intricate brickwork and faded advertisements that lined the narrow alleyway behind the old market square.”
Examples
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.”
Real-World Examples
“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.” “On any given night of the week, Tokyo businessmen can be found blowing off steam in yokocho , traditional alleyways containing bars and restaurants.” “She took me through the recently built but struggling “theatre district” with its dismal alleyways and closed nightclub.” Etymology
From alley + way.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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