Word
dale
US/ˈdeɪɫ/
UK/dˈeɪl/
Españolvalle
Countable noun
Definition
n. a valley, usually in a hilly area like Northern England.
n. a valley, specifically one located in an upland or hilly region. The term is a common topographic element in Northern English and Scottish place names.
Examples
“The hikers walked down into the green dale.”
“The small village was tucked away in a quiet dale, protected from the wind by the surrounding hills.”
“The poet described the mist rolling over the dale at dawn, capturing the quiet isolation of the rural landscape before the industrial age changed it forever.”
Examples
simple
“The hikers walked down into the green dale.”
contextual
“The small village was tucked away in a quiet dale, protected from the wind by the surrounding hills.”
complex
“The poet described the mist rolling over the dale at dawn, capturing the quiet isolation of the rural landscape before the industrial age changed it forever.”
Usage
Often used in the plural ('the Dales') to refer to the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Teaching tip
While 'valley' is the standard term, 'dale' is preferred in Northern England and is essential for understanding British geography and pastoral poetry.
Real-World Examples
“Sometimes, when I know I’ve spent yet another day indoors at my desk, I get myself outside and walk the road uphill to where I can look at the view across the dale.” “Hers is the only house on the road winding through a valley deep in the Yorkshire Dales.” Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
- 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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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- British English, Literary
QR code
englishreference.com/q/dale
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0