fence
fence
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "fence" is /fens/.
fence: /fens/
Word Form Variations
Noun: fence (singular), fences (plural)
Verb: fence (base form), fences (third person singular present), fenced (past tense, past participle), fencing (present participle)
Adjective: fenced (as in "fenced area"), fenceless
Adverb: (No direct adverb form)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Fence
A barrier, usually made of posts, wire, or wood, used to enclose an area, keep animals in or out, or mark a boundary.
Synonyms: barrier, enclosure, wall, railing, palisade, demarcation
Antonyms: opening, gate (when open), access, passage
A person who deals in stolen goods. (Informal)
Synonyms: receiver, trafficker, dealer (of stolen goods)
Antonyms: victim, law enforcement
Verb
Fence
To enclose an area with a fence.
Synonyms: enclose, surround, wall off, confine, secure
Antonyms: open, unbar, clear, expose
To engage in the sport of fencing, which involves fighting with foils, sabres, or épées.
Synonyms: duel, spar, contend, parry, thrust
Antonyms: (no direct antonyms for the sport)
To sell or deal in stolen goods. (Informal)
Synonyms: traffic, peddle, deal (in stolen goods)
Antonyms: buy (legally), receive (legally)
To avoid giving a direct answer or commitment; to prevaricate.
Synonyms: prevaricate, equivocate, hedge, evade, dodge
Antonyms: commit, answer directly, confront
Adjective
Fenced
Enclosed by a fence.
Synonyms: enclosed, walled, confined, secured
Antonyms: unfenced, open, exposed
Fenceless
Without a fence; open or unbounded.
Synonyms: open, unbounded, unrestricted, unenclosed
Antonyms: fenced, enclosed, restricted
Examples of Use
Books
Non-fiction (Gardening/Farming): Guides often provide instructions on how to build or repair a "fence" for gardens or livestock. "Learn to construct a durable wooden fence for your property" (Storey Publishing, April 2024).
Fiction: Characters might climb over a "fence," or a mystery could involve a character who is a "fence" for stolen goods. "He saw the shadow of a man scaling the garden fence."
Law Textbooks: Legal texts discuss property lines and the regulations surrounding shared "fences" between neighbors.
Newspapers
News Articles: Journalists report on disputes over property "fences" or new security measures involving perimeter "fences." A headline might read, "New Border Fence Sparks Local Debate" (The Guardian, July 2025). Crime reports occasionally mention a "fence" who deals in stolen merchandise.
Sports Sections: Articles covering equestrian events or fencing competitions might use the word. "The rider cleared the final fence with ease."
Opinion Pieces: Columnists might describe politicians who "fence with questions" to avoid giving direct answers.
Online Publications
DIY/Home Improvement Blogs: Many websites offer step-by-step guides for building a "fence," or tips for repairing a damaged one. "Choosing the right material for your garden fence."
News Sites: Online news may feature stories about communities building or removing fences.
Social Media: People share photos of their new garden fences or discuss debates where politicians "fence" around difficult issues.
E-commerce: Retailers sell various types of "fencing" materials and pre-built fence panels.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Movies/TV Shows: Characters might jump over a fence in a chase scene, or a plot might involve a criminal organization with a designated "fence." A character might say, "Don't try to fence with me."
Video Games: Many open-world games feature fences that players can vault over or destroy. Some games might have a character who acts as a "fence" where players can sell stolen in-game items.
Sports Broadcasts: Commentators in equestrian show jumping describe horses clearing fences. In fencing matches, commentators describe how competitors "fence" against each other.
Podcasts: True-crime podcasts might delve into the role of fences in organized crime operations.
General Public Discourse
Conversations: In daily speech, people talk about putting up a "fence" around their yard or asking a neighbor to fix a broken "fence." "He's always on the fence about big decisions."
Workplace: In meetings, a manager might tell an employee not to "fence" with clients but to give direct answers.
Homeownership: Discussions about property boundaries often involve the location and maintenance of fences.
Sports (local): Kids playing in a park might refer to hitting a ball over the "fence."
Figurative Use: "Fencing off" an idea (limiting it) or being "on the fence" (undecided) are common.
10 Quotes Using Fence
"Good fences make good neighbors." (Robert Frost, Mending Wall)
"A true friend overlooks your broken fence and admires the flowers in your garden."
"The only real security is within; even the strongest fence can be bypassed."
"Sometimes, the biggest barrier is the invisible fence we build in our minds."
"Before you paint the fence, consider what view you wish to frame."
"He learned that the easiest way around some problems was simply to climb the fence."
"A society's strength is not in its walls, but in the connection beyond its fence."
"True liberty begins where the mind casts off its self-imposed fence."
"Every challenge can be seen as a fence; some you go over, some you go through."
"The children built a small fence around their secret garden of dreams."
Etymology
The word "fence" comes from the Old French word "faute," which meant "defect" or "failure," but also, more relevantly for "fence," was a shortened form of "defenсe" or "defendre," meaning "to defend" or "to protect."
The first known use of "fence" in English, with the meaning of "an enclosure or barrier for protection or to mark a boundary," dates back to the early 14th century. It appeared in texts referring to something built for defense or to separate areas, directly reflecting its root in words meaning "to defend."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Fence
At the fence: Hesitating or undecided. "She's still at the fence about accepting the job offer."
Clear the fence: To successfully overcome a difficulty or obstacle. "After months of work, they finally cleared the fence on the project."
Come down on one side of the fence: To make a definite decision or take a clear position in an argument. "It's time for him to come down on one side of the fence."
Fence in: To restrict or confine. "The new regulations effectively fence in small businesses."
Fence off: To separate or exclude an area by means of a fence. "They had to fence off the construction site for safety."
Mend fences: To repair damaged relationships or resolve disagreements. "After their argument, they tried to mend fences."
On the fence: Undecided or neutral about something. "He's still on the fence about which college to attend."
Sitting on the fence: Similar to "on the fence," implying indecision or neutrality. "You can't keep sitting on the fence; you need to choose."
To fence with: To avoid a direct answer or commitment; to prevaricate. "The politician tried to fence with the interviewer's tough questions."
White picket fence: A symbol of an idyllic, traditional suburban life. "Many people dream of a home with a white picket fence."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of fence from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
