afield

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈfēld How to pronounce afield (audio)
Synonyms of afieldnext
1
: to, in, or on the field
was weak at bat but strong afield
2
: away from home : abroad
3
: out of the way : astray
irrelevant remarks that carried us far afield

Synonyms of afield

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Examples of afield in a Sentence

how did we get so far afield from the subject we intended to discuss?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Iraq already uses around 1,000 trucks daily to transport fuel oil overland to Syria's Mediterranean port city Baniyas, where it is loaded onto tankers for shipment further afield. — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 Neighboring Iran and Pakistan are forcibly returning Afghans, and further afield in Europe, fervent anti-immigration rhetoric makes the situation very challenging. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026 Should cabin fever somehow strike, the hotel can arrange adventures further afield, from whale-watching and boat trips along the Costa Del Sol coast to private hikes through the Andalusian mountains and even cheesemaking at a local goat farm. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026 Season 1 was a ratings hit and the second travels further afield to open with a daring operation on the Mont St Michel, with other locations including the Musée d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou and Montparnasse Tower. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for afield

Word History

Etymology

Middle English afelde, going back to Old English on felda, on felde, from on on entry 1 + felda, felde, dative of feld field entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of afield was before the 12th century

Rhymes for afield

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Browse Nearby Words

aficionado
afield
a fight for one's life
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Cite this Entry

“Afield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afield. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

afield

adverb
ə-ˈfēld How to pronounce afield (audio)
1
: to, in, or on the field
2
: away from home
3
: out of a regular, planned, or proper course : astray
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