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valley

valley

1.0
A low area of land between hills or mountains often with a river running through it
  • noun
  • /ˈvæli/
translation icon : valle
  • As we drove through the winding road, we marveled at the stunning views of the valley below.
  • a mountain valley
  • a narrow valley
  • valley gradient

So scampered back up the north side of the valley, got up.

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Examples

  • With its enormous population crammed into the narrow Nile River Valley, Egypt has long been a tinderbox.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The hikers enjoyed a picnic in the beautiful valley, where a river flowed gently below.

  • There, on the other side, a green valley opened as far as the eye could see.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • I figured when I headed east into the big valley, I was bound to find people.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The creature's heading south towards the mouth of the valley.

  • The tawny field at the west end of the valley was ready for harvest.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • As we made our way up a narrow valley, thick clouds settled in and dampened everything.

    Academic text (2011)
  • In the pasture at the northeast end of the valley, cattle, horses, sheep, and goats grazed.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The valley was filled with blooming wildflowers, making it a perfect spot for photographers.

Synonyms

vale
vsvalley
  • Archaic
8 9.9

A long low area of land between hills or mountains with a river running through it

is the neutral everyday term rather than a poetic or literary one

Antonyms

1.0

A very high area of land with steep sides and a top

1.0

A raised area of land that is not as high as a mountain

Compounds

A region south of San Francisco known for many technology companies

rift valley
  • Specialized
4 7.0

A long deep valley with steep sides that forms when part of the earth sinks between cracks

A model for fast technology innovation and startup culture used in other places

A large valley in central California known for farming

A small garden plant with broad leaves and white bell-shaped flowers that smell sweet

2 4.8

A popular winter resort in Idaho for skiing and outdoor activities

A large valley in northern Virginia between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains, famous for Civil War battles

A fertile valley north of Los Angeles with many homes and film studios

valley girl
  • Offensive
1 9.3

A young woman, often from California, who cares about fashion and money and speaks in a rising voice

valley of death
  • Informal
1 9.0

A very dangerous situation where people may not survive

1 4.9

A region in central France along the Loire River famous for castles and wine

valley fever
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A lung infection from breathing in fungus spores in dry dusty areas that causes cough, fever, and sometimes skin lumps

1 3.2

A very hot desert valley in eastern California and southwestern Nevada that has North America's lowest point

Rift Valley fever
  • Specialized
1 6.8

An illness in Africa that infects animals and people and spreads by mosquitoes or contact with sick animals

A mountainous region in northwestern Italy with high mountains, ski resorts, and castles

7.9

A small plant with white bell-shaped flowers that looks like the true lily of the valley

A large protected area in northern Alaska with mountains, forests, tundra, sand dunes, and old human remains and tools

An evergreen shrub with shiny leaves and hanging sweet-smelling white flowers

Great Rift Valley
  • Specialized
5.3

A long low area from the Jordan River through eastern Africa to Mozambique formed by the moving earth's crust

A scenic area in New South Wales, Australia with valleys and hiking trails

Nappy Valley
  • Literature
7.9

An area of a town popular with young families and small children

An industrial region in northwest Germany known for coal mining and factories

8.3

An area in the San Fernando Valley where many adult films are made

7.4

A tall tree that grows in California with thick leaves and pointed acorns

7.6

A risky early period when a project lacks money to become a product

A small burrowing rodent that lives in western United States valleys and meadows with fur-lined cheek pouches

A tall tree found in California that loses its leaves and makes narrow, pointed acorns

A low evergreen plant with round leaves and strong sweet white flowers

A North American evergreen plant with oblong leaves and small pink flowers like bells

How Big

canyon
117 2.5
gorge
32 5.3
valley
1.0
glen
8 7.9
hollow
44 3.9

Surface Forms

valley singular
valleys plural

Etymology

The word valley comes from an old Latin word vallis meaning 'a low place between hills'. You can find the same word in Spanish valle and French vallée, so many languages kept the same idea. So a valley is still a low area, often with a river running through it.