shale

noun

ˈshāl 

: a fissile rock that is formed by the consolidation of clay, mud, or silt, has a finely stratified or laminated structure, and is composed of minerals essentially unaltered since deposition

shaley adjective

or less commonly shaly

ˈshā-lē 

Examples of shale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In North America, plants lean on cheap and abundant ethane and propane supplies that are domestically produced from the shale natural gas boom. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 30 July 2026

Carbon dioxide and methane levels in the samples prove these organisms then began feeding on the shale itself. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 July 2026

The team chipped shale samples from different points along the drill core, with each sampling location representing a different point in time during the warming event. — Howard Lee, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2026

Its back nine is carved into an old shale quarry – several of the holes are quirky but in a lovable way – and its final holes finish right on the edge of Little Traverse Bay. — Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably from obsolete or dialect shale scale, shell, from Middle English, from Old English scealu — more at shell

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing shale

• oil shale
• shale oil

Rhymes for shale

• ail
• ale
• bail
• baile
• dail
• fail
• flail
• frail
• gael
• gail
• grail
• hail

Kids Definition

shale

noun

ˈshā(ə)l 

: a rock with a fine grain formed from clay, mud, or silt

shaley

ˈshā-lē 

adjective