Minefield
/ˈmaɪnˌfild/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An area in which land mines or naval mines have been laid.
- 2 a region in which explosives mines have been placed wordnet
- 3 A matter or situation presenting multiple risks, dangers, complications or difficulties. broadly, figuratively
"Be careful. Foreign property investments are a minefield, and some people have lost a lot of money."
- 4 A pitch that has dried out and crumbled and on which the ball is bouncing and spinning unpredictably.
- 5 A quiz that terminates when the test-taker answers a question incorrectly.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
More examples"Holding a conversation with her feels like walking across a minefield."
Etymology
From mine + field. Compare Saterland Frisian Mienenfäield (“minefield”), West Frisian mynfjild (“minefield”), Dutch mijnenveld (“minefield”), German Low German Minenfeld (“minefield”), German Minenfeld (“minefield”), Danish minefelt (“minefield”), Swedish minfält (“minefield”).