# Wales

/ˈweɪɫz/ (US) · /wˈeɪlz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wales
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a country

noun · CEFR A2

a country that is part of the United Kingdom, located to the west of England.

For teachers: a constituent country of the United Kingdom, situated on the island of Great Britain to the west of England.

- Many people travel to Wales to see the beautiful mountains and coastline.
- The devolved government in Wales has significant authority over areas such as health, education, and local economic development.

### 2. fabric texture

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the raised lines or ridges on a piece of fabric, like corduroy.

For teachers: the plural of 'wale', referring to the raised ridges or ribs in a woven fabric, particularly corduroy.

- This jacket has very fine wales, making the fabric look almost smooth.
- The durability of corduroy is often determined by the density of its wales, with wider ridges typically offering a more rugged aesthetic.

### 3. marks on skin

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

raised marks on the skin, usually caused by being hit with something thin.

For teachers: plural of 'wale'; streaks or ridges raised on the skin by a blow from a rod or whip.

- The rough branches left red wales across his arms as he ran through the woods.
- The historical account described the prisoner as having deep wales across his back from the harsh punishment he endured.

## Examples

- Many people visit Wales to hike in the mountains.
- The rugged coastline of Wales attracts thousands of tourists every summer who come to see the historic castles.
- While integrated into the United Kingdom's legal framework, Wales maintains a distinct cultural identity through its preservation of the Welsh language and its specific legislative powers in Cardiff.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.