farther

1 of 2

adverb

far·​ther ˈfär-t͟hər 

1

: at or to a greater distance or more advanced point

got no farther than the first page

nothing could be farther from the truth

2

: to a greater degree or extent

see to it that I do not have to act any farther in the matter

—Bernard DeVoto

Farther vs. Further: Usage Guide

Farther and further have been used more or less interchangeably throughout most of their history, but currently they are showing signs of diverging. As adverbs they continue to be used interchangeably whenever spatial, temporal, or metaphorical distance is involved. But where there is no notion of distance, further is used.

our techniques can be further refined

Further is also used as a sentence modifier

further, the workshop participants were scarcely optimistic

—L. B. Mayhew

, but farther is not. A polarizing process appears to be taking place in their adjective use. Farther is taking over the meaning of distance

the farther shore

and further the meaning of addition.

needed no further invitation

farther

2 of 2

adjective

1

: more distant : remoter

the farther side of town

2

: further sense 2

clearing his throat preparatory to farther revelations

—Edith Wharton

Synonyms

Adverb

• further

Adjective

• further
• more
• else
• additional
• another

Examples of farther in a Sentence

Adverb

It's farther away than I'd thought.

they had traveled farther down the Colorado River than any previous explorers

Adjective

the farther side of town

for farther information on this condition, you should consult your family physician

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

However, if temperatures fall farther than expected the amounts could increase, forecasters added. —Leigh Morgan, al, 11 Feb. 2023

Tier 2 Pricing, includes lots farther away from the stadium: Car or SUV: $100. —Sydney Carruth, The Arizona Republic, 9 Feb. 2023

Adjective

If the two galaxies are aligned just right, the light from the farther galaxy forms a ring around the nearer one. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 10 Feb. 2025

How fast these farther galaxies are receding from us (which is easily read off from their color) divided by their distances gives H0. —Liz Kruesi, WIRED, 8 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adverb and Adjective

Middle English ferther, alteration of further

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing farther

• nothing could be farther from the truth

Video

Further vs. Farther

They started as same word, but their meanings have drifted apart over time.

Kids Definition

farther

1 of 2 adverb

far·​ther ˈfär-t͟hər 

1

: at or to a greater distance or more advanced point

2

: more completely

farther

2 of 2 adjective

1

: more distant : remoter

2

: further entry 3 sense 2, additional