(Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Australia) A narrow roadway; a lane.
“I do believe it’s a private residence. Very interesting little laneway. 🙋🏼♀️🫶🏻”
Laneway means: A narrow roadway; a lane. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up. For most families this word will pass by without incident; it is more a vocabulary curiosity than a parenting concern.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
Add your own interpretation of "laneway".
Aussie and Kiwi vocabulary — bogan, daggy, brekkie, sheila, bach, jandals — the whole Antipodean lexicon, including outback dialect, surf and beach culture, and Sydney/Melbourne street slang.
See all Australian & NZ slang slang on Slangora.
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(US, transport) A lane of a road used by traffic.
(US) One side of a divided highway that carries traffic in a single direction.
(British) Any of several types of wide unsurfaced paths through the countryside, especially ancient ones once used for herding animals.
(British, Canadian) An alleyway that runs behind a row of houses, or between rows of houses.
A narrow roadway; a lane
Laneway means: A narrow roadway; a lane. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up. For most families this word will pass by without incident; it is more a vocabulary curiosity than a parenting concern.
laneway means: A narrow roadway; a lane. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.