Word
downfield
Phoneticsdown·field
Definition
adj. further toward the other team's end of the field, away from your own goal. You use it for passes, kicks, or players moving toward attack.
adj. situated or moving toward the opponent's end of the playing field, away from one's own goal. Typically describes passes, kicks, or player movement in field sports such as football.
Examples
“He kicks the ball downfield to his teammate.”
“The defender clears the ball downfield to start a quick counterattack before the opponents regroup.”
“With seconds left, the quarterback launches a desperate downfield throw that arcs over two defenders and lands softly in the receiver's hands.”
Examples
simple
“He kicks the ball downfield to his teammate.”
contextual
“The defender clears the ball downfield to start a quick counterattack before the opponents regroup.”
complex
“With seconds left, the quarterback launches a desperate downfield throw that arcs over two defenders and lands softly in the receiver's hands.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “downfield” in context.
Verb
01. kick downfield
“The defender kicked downfield to clear the pressure from our box.”
verb + adj
02. look downfield
“The quarterback looked downfield before deciding where to throw.”
verb + adj
03. punt downfield
“The team punted downfield to push the opponents back to their half.”
verb + adj
04. run downfield
“The winger ran downfield to support the counterattack.”
verb + adj
Adjective
05. deep downfield
“The quarterback spotted his receiver deep downfield and threw a long pass.”
adv + adj
06. far downfield
“The striker stayed far downfield, waiting for a long pass from defence.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. downfield block
“The penalty was given for an illegal downfield block on the defender.”
adj + noun
08. downfield pass
“He completed a perfect downfield pass to set up the winning goal.”
adj + noun
09. downfield threat
“With his speed, he is a constant downfield threat on the wing.”
adj + noun
10. kick the ball downfield
“Under pressure, the keeper kicked the ball downfield towards the strikers.”
11. look downfield for options
“The playmaker looked downfield for options before playing the pass.”
12. pump the ball downfield
“They kept pumping the ball downfield in search of a late equaliser.”
Real-World Examples
“Watson completed 24 of 30 passes, but he had only four attempts downfield (11 yards or more).” “Derby had started the stronger, but West Brom swept downfield to score in the 16th minute, Jimmy-Jay Morgan whipping in a low cross from the left which Heggebø [pictured] finished at the near post.” “Time and again, defenders looked downfield for a pass to hit only to see their team-mates looking back at them, unmoving and tightly marked.” “That's when Wilson took over, leading the Wolfpack downfield and doing it primarily with his legs.” Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/downfield