outfield
B2Primarily sport (neutral); extended uses are neutral or literary.
Definition
Meaning
The part of a baseball or cricket field beyond the diamond/pitch, where fielders stand.
1. A broad, open field or area of land. 2. The players positioned in the outfield. 3. Figuratively, an area remote from the center of activity or interest.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In its primary sports sense, it refers to a defined area and, by metonymy, the players positioned there. In its rare extended/agricultural sense, it can imply land on the periphery of a farm. Figuratively, it connotes distance from central action or mainstream thought.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'outfield' is strongly associated with cricket (and also used in rounders). In the US, it is overwhelmingly associated with baseball. The term can also refer to marginal agricultural land in UK (e.g., Scottish farming contexts), a usage less common in the US.
Connotations
In baseball contexts (US), it's a standard, active position. In cricket (UK), it's a more passive, strategic fielding position. The figurative sense ('on the intellectual outfield') is understood in both but is not common.
Frequency
Higher frequency in US media due to baseball's prominence. In UK, usage spikes during cricket seasons and is less common in general discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[play/hit/throw] into the outfield[catch/field] in the outfield[position/station] in the outfield[cover/patrol] the outfieldVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[to be/hit one] out of left field (US idiom, meaning unexpected)”
- “cover a lot of outfield (rare, metaphorical for extensive work)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not typically used. A forced metaphor might be: 'Our new division is still in the corporate outfield.'
Academic
Rare. Possibly in historical geography discussing land use: 'The outfield was used for seasonal grazing.'
Everyday
Almost exclusively in sports contexts or as a vivid metaphor: 'His ideas are way out in the intellectual outfield.'
Technical
Specific to baseball and cricket coaching, analytics, and rulebooks.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
American English
- He managed to outfield his opponent, making several spectacular catches.
adjective
British English
- The outfield boundary was marked by a rope.
American English
- Their outfield defense was the best in the league.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The ball was hit into the outfield.
- There are three players in the outfield.
- The centre fielder has the largest area to cover in the outfield.
- He hit the ball so hard it cleared the outfield fence.
- The team's strength lies in its agile outfield and strong throwing arms.
- Her innovative theory places her on the far outfield of mainstream science.
- Agricultural records from the 18th century distinguish between the infield, which was fertilised, and the unmanured outfield.
- The journalist's sources were often in the political outfield, providing unorthodox perspectives.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
OUTside the main FIELD of action. Think of a baseball fielder standing OUT in the FIELD, far from home plate.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERIPHERY IS DISTANCE FROM CENTRE/CENTER. The outfield metaphorically maps to areas of lesser importance, activity, or mainstream acceptance.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'внешнее поле' in non-sport contexts; it's not idiomatic. In sports, use 'аутфилд' (for baseball) or specify 'дальнее поле'/'удалённая часть поля' for cricket. The agricultural sense does not correspond to 'пашня'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'outfield' as a general term for any outdoor field (e.g., 'We played football on the outfield'). Confusing 'outfield' (area/players) with 'outfielder' (player only).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'outfield' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. In American English, it can be used transitively in sports journalism to mean 'to surpass in fielding,' but this is highly specialised and uncommon.
'Outfield' refers to the area or the collective group of players. 'Outfielder' refers specifically to an individual player positioned in that area.
Not in standard rules or commentary. In soccer, players are 'outfield players' to distinguish them from the goalkeeper, but the term for the area itself is simply 'the pitch' or 'field.'
Yes, 'outfields' can be used when referring to multiple different fields (e.g., 'The outfields at both stadiums were very wet.'), but it is often an uncountable noun when referring to the general concept or area.