afield

adverb or adjective

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

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.
The team is already exploring opportunities further afield. Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025 Roman said that while Russia still has its interests in the Middle East, there is a new phase in its engagement in the region with Moscow selling arms to Egypt and stepping up its activities in Libya and further afield in North Africa. Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025 Next to the main house is the two-bedroom caretaker’s home, and another two guest houses sit a bit farther afield. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 June 2025 The Trump Administration has already sent migrants from a number of countries to Panama and Costa Rica, and has reportedly sought deportation arrangements with countries farther afield, including Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Benin, Eswatini, Mongolia, Kosovo, Moldova, and Ukraine. Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 16 May 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Afield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afield. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

afield

adverb
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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