farther

1 of 2

adverb

far·​ther ˈfär-t͟hər How to pronounce farther (audio)
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 matterBernard 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 revelationsEdith Wharton

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
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
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
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 Orbeliani made the case that as a Christian nation Georgia was a natural pro-Western ally and a gateway to the Caucasus and farther east. Andrew North, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2016 See all Example Sentences for farther 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of farther was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near farther

Cite this Entry

“Farther.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/farther. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

farther

1 of 2 adverb
far·​ther ˈfär-t͟hər How to pronounce farther (audio)
1
: at or to a greater distance or more advanced point
2
: more completely

farther

2 of 2 adjective
1
: more distant : remoter
2

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