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

And while Avon itself is quieter than its neighbors, complimentary shuttles run to both Vail and Beaver Creek, so you’re not cut off from the valley’s buzziest restaurants and après spots—just slightly removed from them. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026

Some snow could mix in with rain in the valleys of the Interior Northeast. — Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2026

Most valleys and low elevations of New England will not see snow. — ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026

The Connecticut side is very tight, peak to valley, so there are no big, expansive views. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 10 Nov. 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