'Vale' is a valley in poetic or literary English; 'veil' is a piece of fabric covering the face or something hidden.
Noun. A valley, typically in literary or poetic use. Rare in modern everyday English.
The poem described the misty vale between the two mountains.
"Vale of tears" is a poetic expression for the difficulties of life.
The village nestled in a quiet vale sheltered from the north wind.
Noun/verb. A thin translucent fabric used to cover the face. Something that hides or obscures. Also: to conceal or cover.
The bride lifted her veil as she reached the altar.
A veil of secrecy surrounded the details of the acquisition.
She could not veil her disappointment when the results were announced.
Common mistake
"She wore a vale at the wedding" when meaning the fabric piece (correct: veil). Or using 'veil' where 'vale' was intended in literary contexts.
Trick to remember it
'Vale' has ALE like 'dale' and 'gale' — all landscape or nature words with ALE. 'Veil' has EIL like 'ceiling' (ceil → veil) — things that hang over and conceal.
Quick rule
Is it a valley in literary usage? 'Vale'. Is it the face covering or something that conceals? 'Veil'.
Did you know?
'Vale of tears' comes from the Latin 'vallis lacrimarum', used in medieval religious texts to describe earthly life as a period of suffering before heaven. It appears in the Salve Regina (11th century): 'mourning and weeping in this vale of tears'. Today it describes any prolonged suffering metaphorically. 'Veil' in the sense of concealment gave us 'unveil' — to reveal something previously hidden — used for everything from statues to product launches.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
A _____ of mystery still surrounds the circumstances of the contract cancellation.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
The poem described a peaceful _____ where the river widened into meadows.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Is it a valley in literary usage? 'Vale'. Is it the face covering or something that conceals? 'Veil'.
"She wore a vale at the wedding" when meaning the fabric piece (correct: veil). Or using 'veil' where 'vale' was intended in literary contexts.
'Vale' has ALE like 'dale' and 'gale' — all landscape or nature words with ALE. 'Veil' has EIL like 'ceiling' (ceil → veil) — things that hang over and conceal.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy