# fife

/ˈfaɪf/ (US) · /fˈaɪf/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fife
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. musical instrument

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a small, high-pitched flute that people often play with drums in military parades.

For teachers: a small, shrill transverse flute, similar to a piccolo, traditionally used in military and marching bands to accompany drums.

- The sound of the fife and drum could be heard from blocks away during the parade.
- Historically, the fife was essential for signaling maneuvers on the battlefield because its high frequency could be heard above the din of combat.

### 2. place in Scotland

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a historic area and council region in eastern Scotland.

For teachers: a council area and former county of Scotland, situated on the east coast between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth.

- We spent the weekend visiting the historic fishing villages along the coast of Fife.
- St Andrews, located in the northeast of Fife, is globally renowned as the home of golf and for its ancient university.

## Examples

- The soldier played a lively tune on his fife.
- During the historical reenactment, the sound of the fife and drum could be heard from across the field.
- The piercing timbre of the fife was specifically designed to carry over the din of 18th-century battlefields, allowing commanders to signal maneuvers to their troops through music.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.