Afield (Adverb)
Meaning 1
Far away from home or one's usual surroundings; "looking afield for new lands to conquer"- R.A.Hall.
Examples
- The college student's decision to attend school afield in a foreign country was both exciting and intimidating.
- After failing to find a suitable job locally, he began to look afield for employment opportunities.
- The hikers decided to venture afield from the main trail to explore a lesser-known path.
- As the demand for rare wild herbs increased, botanists set out afield to study and collect samples.
- After her company closed down several local stores, she had to travel afield to manage the remaining branches.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
Off the subject; beyond the point at issue; "such digressions can lead us too far afield".
Examples
- The debate strayed afield from the original topic of tax reform, getting bogged down in unrelated issues.
- Her attempt to answer the question led her afield into a discussion of several unrelated topics.
- The teacher tried to keep the class on track, but the students often wandered afield in their discussions.
- The scientist's comments about the new technology led him afield into a lengthy talk about its potential applications.
- As he rambled on about his opinions, he got further and further afield from the actual issue at hand.
Meaning 3
In or into a field (especially a field of battle); "the armies were afield, challenging the enemy's advance"; "unlawful to carry hunting rifles afield until the season opens".
Examples
- The farming family spent most of their day afield, tending to their crops under the scorching sun.
- The weekend soldiers went afield for a friendly game of paintball, creating a vast scene of war in the woods.
- As the hunting season opened, the experienced hunters headed afield in search of their prized quarry.
- Archaeologists carefully excavated ancient relics afield, uncovering secrets of long-lost civilizations.
- Their ancestors marched afield to claim new lands for the kingdom, facing countless perils along the way.