How to Pronounce "vale of tears"
expression
VAYL-uhv-TEERZ
VAH-lay-uv-TEERZ
Definition
A poetic expression meaning the world or life as a place filled with sadness, difficulties, and suffering.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈveɪɫ/ /ˈəv/ /ˈtɛɹz/, /ˈtɪɹz
British English
ˈvɑːleɪ/ /ˈɒv/ /tiːɹz
Simplified Pronunciation
US
VAYL-uhv-TEERZ
UK
VAH-lay-uv-TEERZ
Listen in Context
Many people see life as a vale of tears when they feel sadness.
Some poems describe the world as a vale of tears.
Religious texts sometimes mention this vale of tears as a place we must pass through.
After so much bad news, it really feels like we’re all stuck in a vale of tears these days.