View synonyms for turf

turf

[ turf ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural turfs, (especially British) turves [turvz].

a layer of matted earth formed by grass and plant roots.
peat, especially as material for fuel.
a block or piece of peat dug for fuel.
Slang.
1. the neighborhood over which a street gang asserts its authority.
2. a familiar area, as of residence or expertise:
  Denver is her turf. When you talk literature you're getting into my turf.
Chiefly British. a piece cut or torn from the surface of grassland; sod.
the turf,
1. the track over which horse races are run.
2. the practice or sport of racing horses.

verb (used with object)

to cover with turf or sod.
British Slang. to remove from a desirable office or position; expel; kick out:
He was turfed from leadership of the group.

turf

/ tɜːf /

noun

the surface layer of fields and pastures, consisting of earth containing a dense growth of grasses with their roots; sod
a piece cut from this layer, used to form lawns, verges, etc
the turf
1. a track, usually of grass or dirt, where horse races are run
2. horse racing as a sport or industry
slang.
the territory or area of activity over which a person or group claims exclusive rights
an area of knowledge or influence
he's on home turf when it comes to music
another term for peat 1
go with the turf informal.
to be an unavoidable part of a particular situation or process

verb

tr to cover with pieces of turf

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Other Words From

turfless adjective
turflike adjective
re·turf verb (used with object)
un·turfed adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of turf¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English, cognate with Dutch turf, German Torf (from Low German ), Old Norse torf, akin to Sanskrit darbha “tuft of grass”; turbary

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Word History and Origins

Origin of turf¹

Old English; related to Old Norse torfa , Old High German zurba , Sanskrit darbha tuft of grass

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Example Sentences

New York—and Brooklyn in particular—was familiar turf for Brinsley.

From The Daily Beast

Trotter had fewer resources but he was playing on home turf.

From The Daily Beast

There might be some opportunities on trade and tax policy, but those will exist about 75 percent on Republican turf.

From The Daily Beast

The Democratic Party is defending more than a half-dozen seats on Republican-friendly turf.

From The Daily Beast

Obama traveled to Tampa Wednesday to meet with Austin about the ISIS strategy on his own turf.

From The Daily Beast

But having chosen the Champs aux Capuchins, it was idle to expect that one stretch of turf would prove firmer than another.

From Project Gutenberg

Round this stood a colony of roughly-built huts, of mud, turf, or large blocks of the slate.

From Project Gutenberg

In many respects like the Virginia planter, they differ somewhat in their taste in all that pertains to the turf and the field.

From Project Gutenberg

At the same time, it is a notorious fact that he has had heavy losses at cards and on the turf, which may account for everything.

From Project Gutenberg

The skull of a man grinned up at us, half sunk in the green turf, and the ends of ribs shewed how he to whom it had belonged lay.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

Turenne turf accountant

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