fieldmouse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “fieldmouse” mean?
A small rodent, typically with a long tail, that lives in fields and grasslands, feeding on seeds, grains, and insects. It is a species of mouse adapted to open country habitats.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small rodent, typically with a long tail, that lives in fields and grasslands, feeding on seeds, grains, and insects. It is a species of mouse adapted to open country habitats.
In a cultural or literary context, it can symbolize small, vulnerable creatures, rustic simplicity, or a timid nature. It is often used figuratively to describe something small, unobtrusive, or living in a rural setting.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term. In British English, 'fieldmouse' is a common term for Apodemus sylvaticus, often called the 'wood mouse' in field guides. In American English, the term is less common as a specific name; various species of voles or deer mice might be loosely called 'field mice'.
Connotations
In both, it evokes rural, pastoral imagery. In British literature, it has a stronger pastoral tradition (e.g., in poems by Burns, Clare). In American usage, the term is more purely descriptive of habitat.
Frequency
The term is of low-to-medium frequency in both varieties, more common in nature writing, biology, and children's literature than in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “fieldmouse” in a Sentence
The [adjective] fieldmouse [verb] [prepositional phrase]A fieldmouse of [place]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fieldmouse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The cat tried to fieldmouse in the hedgerow, but was unsuccessful. (non-standard, poetic)
adjective
British English
- The habitat had a distinct fieldmouse population. (attributive noun use)
American English
- They observed fieldmouse activity near the crops. (attributive noun use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biology, ecology, and zoology papers to specify species. Also appears in literary analysis of pastoral poetry.
Everyday
Rare in casual speech. Might be used by gardeners, birdwatchers, or in rural settings.
Technical
A valid but somewhat dated common name in taxonomy and field guides. Precise scientific names are preferred.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fieldmouse”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fieldmouse”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fieldmouse”
- Misspelling as two words ('field mouse' is also acceptable but the closed form is standard for the specific term).
- Using it as a general term for any small rodent in a field (e.g., confusing it with a vole).
- Incorrect plural: 'fieldmouses' (correct: 'fieldmice').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both 'fieldmouse' (closed) and 'field mouse' (open) are found, but the closed form is standard in dictionaries for the specific zoological term. The open form is often used as a general descriptor.
Fieldmice (genus Apodemus) have large eyes and ears, long tails, and are agile. Voles have smaller eyes and ears, shorter tails, and stockier bodies. They are different genera.
No, it is of low-to-medium frequency. It is more common in nature writing, biology, and older literary works than in everyday conversation, where 'mouse' or more specific names are used.
The plural is 'fieldmice', following the same irregular pattern as 'mouse' -> 'mice'.
A small rodent, typically with a long tail, that lives in fields and grasslands, feeding on seeds, grains, and insects. It is a species of mouse adapted to open country habitats.
Fieldmouse is usually formal, technical, literary in register.
Fieldmouse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfiːldmaʊs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfildˌmaʊs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As timid as a fieldmouse”
- “Not a fieldmouse stirring (variant of 'not a creature was stirring')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FIELD of MOUSE. A mouse that lives in a field, not a house.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE WEAK/SMALL IS A FIELDMOUSE (e.g., 'He was a political fieldmouse, easily overlooked'). THE RUSTIC/COUNTRY LIFE IS FIELDMOUSE HABITAT.
Practice
Quiz
In a strict zoological sense in the UK, a 'fieldmouse' most accurately refers to which of the following?