right field: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Technical (sports)
Quick answer
What does “right field” mean?
The part of a baseball or softball outfield to the right of center field, as viewed from home plate.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The part of a baseball or softball outfield to the right of center field, as viewed from home plate.
A position or area of responsibility that is considered peripheral, less important, or unconventional; a domain of expertise or activity that is not mainstream.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The literal sports meaning is understood in the UK but is less culturally central as baseball is not a major sport. The metaphorical use is almost exclusively American.
Connotations
In the US, the metaphorical use often carries a connotation of being quirky, odd, or intellectually unconventional. In the UK, the term is primarily recognized only in its sports sense.
Frequency
High frequency in US sports reporting and informal metaphorical use. Low frequency in UK English, except in discussions of baseball.
Grammar
How to Use “right field” in a Sentence
[Subject] plays right field.The ball was hit to right field.That idea came from out in right field.He's in right field on this issue.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “right field” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The coach decided to right-field the new player due to his strong arm. (Rare, sports-specific)
American English
- They're going to right-field him next inning. (Sports-specific)
adverb
American English
- The question came at him right field, completely unexpected. (Informal, rare)
adjective
British English
- He had a right-field position on the team. (Sports-specific)
American English
- She's known for her right-field theories on urban planning. (Metaphorical)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically: 'His marketing proposal was way out in right field.'
Academic
Rare. Possible in sociology or cultural studies discussing subcultures or fringe ideas.
Everyday
Common in US informal speech for describing odd ideas or behaviour. Less common in UK.
Technical
Standard terminology in baseball and softball for a specific field position.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “right field”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “right field”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “right field”
- Using 'right field' to mean 'correct field' (semantic false friend).
- Using the metaphorical sense in formal UK English where it is not recognised.
- Confusing 'right field' with the more common idiom 'out in left field'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, cricket has different fielding positions like 'cover', 'mid-wicket', and 'long on'. 'Right field' is specific to baseball and softball.
Yes, especially in its metaphorical sense. It can imply creative, innovative, or groundbreaking thinking that challenges the mainstream, e.g., 'Her right-field approach to the problem was exactly what we needed.'
'Out in left field' is the far more established idiom meaning 'crazy, mistaken, or irrational.' 'Out in right field' is a less common variant, sometimes used interchangeably, but can specifically emphasise eccentricity or being unconventional rather than outright wrong.
Use it as a compound noun, often with a preposition: 'The ball landed in right field.' (Literal) or 'His suggestion came from out in right field.' (Metaphorical).
The part of a baseball or softball outfield to the right of center field, as viewed from home plate.
Right field is usually informal, technical (sports) in register.
Right field: in British English it is pronounced /ˌraɪt ˈfiːld/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌraɪt ˈfild/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “out in left field (more common antonymic idiom)”
- “from out in right field”
- “a right field idea”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a baseball diamond. Stand at home plate and look straight ahead to centre field. Now look to your RIGHT. That area is RIGHT FIELD. For the metaphor: if the 'centre' of discussion is normal ideas, the 'right field' is where the strange ones land.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE OBJECTS IN PHYSICAL SPACE; CONVENTIONAL IS CENTRAL/STRAIGHT, UNCONVENTIONAL IS PERIPHERAL/TO THE SIDE.
Practice
Quiz
What does the metaphorical phrase 'a right-field idea' typically imply?