Bailiwick - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Definition:
A person's area of skill, knowledge, or authority; also, a district under a bailiff's jurisdiction.
Synonyms:
domain, sphere, territory, province
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
unfamiliarity, incompetence
Common Collocations:
legal bailiwick, professional bailiwick, personal bailiwick
Derivatives:
bailiwicks (plural), bailiwicked (rare)
Usage Tips:
Use "bailiwick" to describe someone’s expertise or official jurisdiction in formal contexts.
Common Phrases:
outside one's bailiwick, within his bailiwick, master of his bailiwick
Etymology:
From Middle English "bailiwik," combining "bailiff" and "wik" (district).
Examples:
- 1. The new policy falls squarely within the mayor's bailiwick.
- 2. Her bailiwick includes managing the company's financial operations.
- 3. He avoids topics outside his legal bailiwick during debates.
- 4. The professor’s academic bailiwick is medieval European history.