minefield: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, semi-formal, metaphorical
Quick answer
What does “minefield” mean?
An area of land or water where explosive mines have been placed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An area of land or water where explosive mines have been placed.
Any situation, subject, or activity that is full of hidden dangers, problems, or complexities where a single misstep can cause serious trouble.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both use the literal and metaphorical senses identically.
Connotations
Identical strong connotations of hidden danger, unpredictability, and potential catastrophe.
Frequency
The metaphorical use is equally frequent in both varieties. The literal use is context-dependent (military/historical).
Grammar
How to Use “minefield” in a Sentence
[subject] is a minefieldnavigate through a minefield of [noun]turn into a minefieldVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “minefield” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Minefield is not used as a verb.
American English
- Minefield is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Minefield is not used as an adverb.
American English
- Minefield is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Minefield is not used as an adjective.
American English
- Minefield is not used as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to complex regulations, merger negotiations, or sensitive HR issues. 'The new data protection laws are a compliance minefield.'
Academic
Used in social sciences/politics to describe contentious research areas or complex theoretical debates. 'The historiography of that period is a scholarly minefield.'
Everyday
Describing social situations, dating, or bureaucracy. 'Talking about politics with my uncle is a complete minefield.'
Technical
Strictly refers to a field planted with explosive devices. 'The engineers mapped the minefield before clearance.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “minefield”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “minefield”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “minefield”
- Using it for a single obvious problem (it implies multiple hidden ones). Confusing with 'mind field'. Using as an adjective (e.g., 'a very minefield topic' – incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Overwhelmingly yes. It inherently describes a dangerous or problematic situation. A rare positive metaphorical twist might be 'a minefield of opportunities', but this is highly atypical.
No, 'minefield' is exclusively a noun. The related verb is 'to mine' (as in placing explosives).
A 'minefield' suggests a situation containing *many hidden, interconnected* dangers where one wrong move triggers larger issues. A 'problem' can be single and obvious.
In everyday general English (news, business, conversation), the metaphorical meaning is far more common. The literal meaning is reserved for military, historical, or specific technical contexts.
An area of land or water where explosive mines have been placed.
Minefield is usually formal, semi-formal, metaphorical in register.
Minefield: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪn.fiːld/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪn.fiːld/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Navigate a minefield”
- “A minefield of problems”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a field (a situation) where every step might trigger a hidden MINE (a problem/explosion).
Conceptual Metaphor
DIFFICULTIES ARE HIDDEN EXPLOSIVES / A COMPLEX SITUATION IS A DANGEROUS TERRAIN.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'minefield' used LEAST appropriately?