In physical geography, a dale is an open valley. The name occurs particularly frequently in the Lowlands of Scotland and in the North of England, where the term "fell" commonly refers to the mountains or hills that flank the dale. See also: vale.

The word dale comes from Old English dael, and is related to Old Norse dalr, which may perhaps have influenced its survival in northern England. Oxford English Dictionary Dale is equivalent to the word valley, which entered the English language after the Norman Conquest.

Placenames incorporating dale

• Annandale (various)
• Clydesdale, Scotland
• Dale, Indiana, USA
• Dale, Pennsylvania, USA
• Dale, Wisconsin, USA
• Dale, Wyoming, USA
• Dale City, Virginia, USA
• Dale, Pembrokeshire, Wales
• Darley Dale, England
• Denby Dale, England
• Derbyshire Dales, England
• Glendale, California, USA
• Knightdale, North Carolina, USA
• Lathkill Dale, England
• Lauderdale (various)
• Liddesdale, Scotland
• Nidderdale, North Yorkshire
• Nithsdale, Scotland
• Oildale, California
• Rochdale, England
• Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
• Teesdale, England
• Teviotdale, Scotland
• Darley Dale, England
• Yorkshire Dales, England

See also

• Samuel Dale, scientist (1659?–1739)
• Dale (Middle-earth)
• The Dales, a BBC radio soap opera originally called Mrs Dale's Diary
• Dale Gribble a character on the television show King of the Hill
• Dale crater on the Moon.
• Chip 'n Dale, fictional animated chipmunks.
• Dale Earnhardt a famous NASCAR driver.

Reference

Landforms

Dale