Thomas HardyH. T. Waterbolk
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.
Further is also used as a sentence modifier
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
and further the meaning of addition.
T. E. LawrenceSynonyms
Examples of further in a Sentence
Jonathan Raban, New York Review of Books, 26 Mar. 2009
The Russian artillery fire and bombs are reaching further into the southern sections of the city …
—Alessandra Stanley, New York Times, 17 Jan. 1995
… her example gave me courage to develop my own voice further.
—Rita Dove, Essence, May 1995
We need to look back further into the past to find the cause of these problems.
I've never been further west than St. Louis.
Their house is further up the street.
We need to research further into this matter.
The police have been reluctant to take their investigation any further.
“They are not our friends.” “I would go even further and say they are our enemies.”
I had enough money to invest. I realized, further, that the risk was small.
Adjective
He will undergo further questioning.
If you need further information you can call me.
We do not expect any further deliveries today.
I have nothing further to say.
There is a further problem: do we have enough money?
We parked in the further lot.
There is more damage to the further part of the fence.
Verb
Their efforts greatly furthered the state of research.
The funds are to be used to further the public good.
Kathleen Willcox, Popular Mechanics, 3 Feb. 2023
Look no further than the following quad exercises, which are trainer faves.
—Women's Health, 3 Feb. 2023
Max Hauptman, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024
The concierge then hands him an envelope with orders to circle the block twice before receiving further instructions.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 27 Nov. 2024
Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Via is well-versed in how far-right extremists are using online platforms to further their aims.
—Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for further 
Video
Further vs. Farther
They started as same word, but their meanings have drifted apart over time.
Dictionary Entries Near further
Cite this Entry
“Further.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/further. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
further
1 of 3 adverb
further
3 of 3 adjective
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