Valley
/ˈvæl.i/noun
A low area of land between hills or mountains, often with a river running through it.
Did you know?Valley comes through Old French from Latin vallis, and linguists connect that older word to a root meaning to roll or bend, which is why so many valley words across Europe feel tied to enclosed, curved landforms.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wel-
“to turn, roll, or bend”
Latin
Latin
vallis
“a valley, a low place between hills”
Old French
OF
valée
“a valley”
Middle English
English
valey
“a valley”
Modern English
English
valley
“a low area of land between hills or mountains”