- a small high-pitched flute similar to the piccolo and usually having no keys, used esp in military bands
- to play (music) on a fife
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
fife /faɪf/USA pronunciation n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Music and Dancea small flute used in marching bands.
fife
(fīf ),USA pronunciation n., v., fifed, fif•ing.
n.
v.i., v.t.
fif′er, n.
Fife (fīf ),USA pronunciation n.
n.
- Music and Dancea high-pitched transverse flute used commonly in military and marching musical groups.
v.i., v.t.
- Music and Danceto play on a fife.
- German Pfeife pipe1
- 1540–50
Fife (fīf ),USA pronunciation n.
- Place Namesa region in E Scotland. 336,339;
504 sq. mi. (1305 sq. km).
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
fife /faɪf/ n
Phyfe
(fīf ),USA pronunciation n.
- Biographical Duncan, 1768–1854, U.S. cabinetmaker, born in Scotland.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
Fife /faɪf/ n
- a council area and historical county of E central Scotland, bordering on the North Sea between the Firths of Tay and Forth: coastal lowlands in the north and east, with several ranges of hills; mainly agricultural. Administrative centre: Glenrothes. Pop: 352 040 (2003 est). Area: 1323 sq km (511 sq miles)
Fife /faɪf/ n
- Duncan
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
Phyfe, Fife /faɪf/ n
- Duncan. ?1768–1854, US cabinet-maker, born in Scotland
'fife' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
belaying pin
- Central Region
- Dunfermline
- Glenrothes
- Kirkcaldy
- Phyfe
- piping
- Saint Andrews
- abaft
- fife rail
- pin rail
- pistol
- tabor
- Wemyss
- St. Andrews