“Veil” and “vale” sound the same but have different meanings. So, how do you make sure you use the right word in your writing? Check out our tips below.
As a noun, “veil” refers to a piece of light, finely woven material, typically worn by women to cover their faces or as part of a head-dress:
The bride wore a white veil trimmed with Belgium lace.
More generally, “veil” can refer to anything that covers or conceals something:
There is a veil of secrecy around the new party’s manifesto.
A veil of mist hid the valley from view.
It follows, then, that the verb “veil” means “obscure or hide something”:
The grieving widow veiled her face.
A thick cloud veiled the mountain tops.
When he heard the news, he was unable to veil his disappointment.
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In both cases, though, “veil” is always related to concealing something.
The noun “vale” is an old-fashioned term that refers to a valley. These days, you will only usually see it used in place names or in literature:
The Vale of Glamorgan is an area in the south of Wales.
O’er the hill and o’er the vale/Come three kings together.
You might also come across the phrase “vale of tears.” This is a literary term, drawn from Christianity, referring to life on earth as a source of great sorrow and tragedy.
These words are easy to mix up because they sound identical. But remember:
Keep in mind that “vale” is a very rare term outside of place names and literature these days. And if you’re referring to some form of concealment or covering, whether as a noun or a verb, the correct spelling will always be “veil.”
For more help with your spelling and word choice, our proofreaders are available 24/7. Submit a free trial document today to find out more.
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