Words / B2

AL-ee/ˈæli/

An alley is a narrow passage between buildings: a back alley; alleyway. It is also a long lane for bowling: a bowling alley. A blind alley is a dead end, literal or figurative. Passage and lane are close twins. Map the alley on the crime extract, then the time. Mix-up: alley vs ally (a friend); allay; do not write alley for a dual carriageway.

Meaning

A narrow passage between buildings; also a long lane for bowling (a bowling alley).

Examples

• “Map the alley on the crime extract, then the time, not a tourist caption.”
• “A bowling alley featured in the leisure accounts, which is the indoor-lane sense — still name the £ line.”

Good to know

a back alley; an alleyway; a bowling alley; a blind alley. Close: passage / lane. Trap: ally / allay / a main road. Geography, citizenship, and PE. A narrow passage, or a bowling lane — map it or quote the accounts.

Near in meaning

passage, lane, alleyway

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