afield

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈfēld 

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

• amiss
• astray
• awry
• wrong

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

If your summer travel dreams take you farther afield, one Asian destination is becoming a major hub for wellness and outdoor pursuits. —Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 31 May 2025

For a higher-octane experience, venture further afield aboard one of the resort’s two twin-engine game fishing boats (measuring 55 and 35 feet) in search of marlin, sailfish, and swordfish to catch and release. —Alexandra Kirkman, Robb Report, 29 May 2025

But experiments in inoculation could also help to inform any future efforts of colonizing other planets, whether that means our own moon, Mars or a world further afield. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 May 2025

These fans — 60 male, 40 female — and ranging in age from 18 to 86, included residents of Jackson County (33 people) and Johnson County (28 people), Wyandotte, Cass, Clay, Leavenworth, and areas farther afield. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for afield

• airfield
• annealed
• appealed
• brownfield
• coalfield
• concealed
• congealed
• cornfield
• downfield
• goldfield
• hayfield
• infield

Kids Definition

afield

adverb

ə-ˈfēld 

1

: to, in, or on the field

2

: away from home

3

: out of a regular, planned, or proper course : astray