far

1 of 3

adverb

ˈfär 

farther ˈfär-t͟hər  or further ˈfər-t͟hər  ; farthest or furthest ˈfər-t͟həst 

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

see also:

by far far be it from far from how far so far thus far

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

Synonyms of far

Adverb

• very
• extremely
• terribly
• incredibly
• too
• highly
• so
• much
• damn
• badly
• damned
• really
• most
• severely
• seriously
• desperately
• greatly
• wildly
• that
• especially

Adjective

• long
• lengthy

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

Adverb

Separately, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported explosions being heard today in Bushehr, another port city that sits deeper west into the Gulf, as well as the city of Choghadak further inland in the same province. — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

The base rate has dropped by about $100 per month, and Kovich said a new rate study could reduce it even further. — Nina Burns, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Adjective

Below, Nico O’Reilly is on the goal line at the far post, away from the eye line of the opposition defenders, who are preoccupied with his team-mates. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 July 2026

The deepest eclipse will be seen in the far southwest, with 96% coverage in the Isles of Scilly and almost 96% at Land's End in Cornwall. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 14 July 2026

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

Phrases Containing far

• a far cry from
• a far sight
• as far as
• as far as (someone) is concerned
• as far as (something) is concerned
• as far as the eye can see
• as far/near as I can tell
• as/so far as one can see/tell/judge
• as/so far as one/someone knows
• as/so far as (someone) is concerned
• as/so far as (something) goes
• as/so far as (something) is concerned
• by far
• dolce far niente
• far and away
• far and near
• far and wide
• far be it from
• far cry
• far down
• far-fetched
• far-flung
• far from
• far from ideal
• far gone
• far-infrared
• far left
• far-off
• far-out
• far-reaching
• far-red
• far removed from
• far right
• far side
• far-ultraviolet
• few and far between
• from far and near
• from near and far
• go far
• gone too far
• go so far
• go too far
• how far
• on the far side of
• pushed things too far
• so far
• so far as
• so far, so good
• the far left
• the far right
• thus far
• well/far along in years

Rhymes for far

• ar
• are
• bar
• barr
• car
• carr
• char
• charr
• czar
• farre
• haar
• har

Kids Definition

far

1 of 2 adverb

ˈfär 

farther -t͟hər  or further ˈfər-  ; farthest or furthest -t͟həst 

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