valley

noun

val·​ley ˈva-lē 

plural valleys

1

a

: an elongated depression of the earth's surface usually between ranges of hills or mountains

b

: an area drained by a river and its tributaries

2

: a low point or condition

3

a

: hollow, depression

b

: the place of meeting of two slopes of a roof that form on the plan a reentrant angle

Synonyms of valley

• canyon
• ravine
• gorge
• glen
• hollow
• vale
• dale

Examples of valley in a Sentence

the valley will be the first to flood if the river rises

Recent Examples on the Web

The denim brand rents out ten of the valley’s most luxurious villas, hosts up to 60 people, provides high-end amenities like IV drips, massage therapy and an onsite coffee pop-up from La La Land and puts on exclusive after-parties. —Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region. —Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026

The dishes arrive simultaneously for all diners, creating an almost theatrical shared experience at bespoke hemlock-wood tables beneath floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the valley. —Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2026

When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English valeye, borrowed from Anglo-French valee (early Old French valede), from val "valley" + -ee, noun suffix (here with augmentative force), going back to Latin -āta, feminine of -ātus -ate entry 1 — more at vale

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing valley

• inter-valley
• lily of the valley
• rift valley
• San Joaquin valley fever
• uncanny valley
• valley fever

Rhymes for valley

• alley
• alli
• bally
• calli
• challis
• dally
• galley
• galli
• lally
• mallee
• mally
• rally

Kids Definition

valley

noun

val·​ley ˈval-ē 

plural valleys

: an area of lowland between ranges of hills or mountains