field
HighNeutral (used across all registers)
Definition
Meaning
An area of open land, especially one used for farming or sport.
A particular branch of study, activity, or expertise; a subject area; or a space or region in which a force operates.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Field" encompasses both concrete physical spaces and abstract domains of knowledge or influence, creating a versatile metaphorical extension.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal differences in core meaning. In cricket (UK) and baseball/softball (US), "field" is used similarly but refers to different sports. "Pitch" (UK) vs. "field" (US) for soccer/football.
Connotations
Similar connotations of open space, agriculture, or domain of activity.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] a field (e.g., 'farmers field their crops')[V] in a field (e.g., 'the team fielded well')[V] a team (e.g., 'they fielded a strong side')[ADJ] field (e.g., 'field research')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A level playing field”
- “Play the field”
- “Have a field day”
- “Hold the field”
- “Take the field”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a market sector or area of operation (e.g., 'We are leaders in the field of fintech').
Academic
Denotes a discipline or area of research (e.g., 'Her field is quantum mechanics').
Everyday
Commonly refers to a sports area or open land (e.g., 'The kids are playing in the field').
Technical
In physics, a region where a force has effect (e.g., 'gravitational field'); in computing, a data entry area (e.g., 'text field').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The manager decided to field a team of youth players.
- She expertly fielded the difficult questions from the press.
American English
- The coach will field his best lineup for the championship game.
- The CEO had to field a lot of criticism during the shareholder meeting.
adverb
British English
- The samples were analysed field-side before transport.
- The equipment was tested field-expediently.
American English
- The data was collected field-expediently.
- They worked field-adjacent to the drilling site.
adjective
British English
- He works as a field geologist.
- They conducted a field survey of the local flora.
American English
- She has a field technician role with the utility company.
- The field test for the new software was successful.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Cows are eating grass in the field.
- The football field is very big.
- My uncle has a field of sunflowers.
- She is an expert in the field of biology.
- We went on a school trip to a historical site.
- Please enter your name in the text field on the form.
- The company is trying to expand into new fields of business.
- The research involves extensive field work in remote locations.
- The player fielded the ball cleanly and made a quick throw.
- His groundbreaking work has redefined the entire field of neuroscience.
- The magnetic field generated by the device needs precise calibration.
- The government's policy was designed to create a level playing field for all businesses.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A FIELD of corn is a physical AREA, and your FIELD of work is your AREA of expertise.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/ACTIVITY IS A PHYSICAL SPACE (e.g., 'pioneering in the field', 'covering a lot of ground').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'field' for 'поле' when it means 'battlefield' ('поле боя') in non-military contexts.
- Do not directly translate 'в поле' as 'in the field' when it means 'in the country/rural area'.
- The phrase 'field of activity' is less natural than 'area/sphere of activity'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect plural: 'fields' not 'field' for multiple areas.
- Confusing 'field' (noun) with 'to field' (verb, e.g., in sports).
- Overusing the physical sense when the abstract sense (domain of study) is intended.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'to field a team'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, its primary concrete meaning is an open area of land, often rural, but its abstract meanings (domain of study, area of force) are extremely common.
A 'field' is often cultivated or used for a purpose (farming, sports). A 'meadow' is a natural, often wild, grassland with flowers.
Yes, commonly meaning to deal with something (questions, calls) or to select and put a sports team into play.
It means to date or be involved with many different people, not committing to one partner.