far

1 of 3

adverb

farther ˈfär-t͟hər How to pronounce far (audio) or further ˈfər-t͟hər How to pronounce far (audio) ; farthest or furthest ˈfər-t͟həst How to pronounce far (audio)
Synonyms of farnext
1
: at or to a considerable distance in space
wandered far from home
2
a
: to a great extent : much
far better methods
b
: by a broad interval : widely
the far distant future
3
: to or at a definite distance, point, or degree
as far as I know
4
: to an advanced point or extent
a bright student will go far
worked far into the night
5
: at a considerable distance in time
not far from the year 1870

far

2 of 3

adjective

farther or further; farthest or furthest
1
a
: remote in space
b
: distinctly different in quality or relationship
c
: remote in time
2
a
: long
a far journey
b
: of notable extent : comprehensive
a man of far vision
3
: the more distant of two
the far end
4
: extreme
the far left
a far right political organization

FAR

3 of 3

abbreviation

federal air regulation

Examples of far in a Sentence

Adverb The dog wandered far from home. These new discoveries will allow us to see far into the past. She lives far out in the country. The house is set far back from the road. The deadline is not far off. regions far to the north a town not far from Chicago He still lives not far from where he was born. The car is far too expensive. His policies are far different from those of his predecessor. Adjective the far corners of the world the far reaches of outer space
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
The day concluded with a candlelit dinner …in a cave… on a small private island…far from the port. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026 Russia launched nearly 1,000 drones and missiles against Ukraine, its largest attack of the war so far. Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Then, in a rare daylight attack, more than 550 drones were launched at targets throughout the country, including in the far western city of Lviv, which has experienced relatively few attacks since the 2022 invasion. Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026 If voters approve it, observers say, the billionaire tax will deliver the ultimate test of how far cities and states can go in taxing their wealthiest residents, and whether those taxpayers will stick around. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for far

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English fer, from Old English feorr; akin to Old High German ferro far, Old English faran to go — more at fare

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of far was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Far.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/far. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

far

1 of 2 adverb
farther -t͟hər How to pronounce far (audio) or further ˈfər- How to pronounce far (audio) ; farthest or furthest -t͟həst How to pronounce far (audio)
1
: at or to a great distance in space or time
far from home
2
: to a great extent : much
far better
3
: to or at a definite distance, point, or degree
as far as I know
4
: to an advanced point or extent : a long way
a smart student can go far

far

2 of 2 adjective
farther or further; farthest or furthest
1
: very distant in space or time
2
: long entry 1 sense 3
a far journey
3
: the more distant of two
the far side of the lake

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