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.
Most dove hunters go afield opening weekend only, mostly for the social aspect. — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026 And Schrader’s style is too remote, his point of view too far afield, to capture the same. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026 Farther afield, there are cozy inns like The Old Inn on the Green in New Marlborough and 33 Main in nearby Lenox. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026 Hunger forces penguin parents to travel farther afield for food and leave their nests behind. — ABC News, 2 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 7 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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