further

American  

[fur-ther] / ˈfɜr ðər /

adverb

1. at or to a greater distance; farther.

   I'm too tired to go further.

2. at or to a more advanced point; to a greater extent.

   Let's not discuss it further.

3. in addition; moreover.

   Further, he should be here any minute.

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adjective

1. more distant or remote; farther.

   The map shows it to be further than I thought.

2. more extended.

   Does this mean a further delay?

3. additional; more.

   Further meetings seem pointless.

verb (used with object)

1. to help forward (a work, undertaking, cause, etc.); promote; advance; forward.

   You can always count on him to further his own interests.

further British  

/ ˈfɜːðə /

adverb

1. in addition; furthermore

2. to a greater degree or extent

3. to or at a more advanced point

4. to or at a greater distance in time or space; farther

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adjective

1. additional; more

2. more distant or remote in time or space; farther

verb

1. (tr) to assist the progress of; promote

further Idioms  

1. see without further ado.

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Usage

What’s the difference between further and farther? Further commonly means to a greater figurative distance, as in Nothing could be further from the truth, or to a greater extent, as in Let’s discuss this further. It can also mean at or to a greater literal distance. This is what farther most commonly means, as in a few steps farther or two miles farther or We’re moving even farther away. The traditional distinction is that farther is used for literal distances and that further should be used for figurative distances or metaphorical extents, though in everyday communication, they are often used interchangeably, with further being often used for literal distances and farther being used to mean at a more advanced point or to a great extent.However, further is used in a few ways that farther is not. Further can be used as a verb meaning to advance something, such as an agenda or cause, as in This will help to further our cause. As an adjective, further can mean more extended, as in further delays, or additional, as in We will hold further meetings. It can also be used in the beginning of a sentence or clause to mean the same thing as furthermore, in addition, or moreover, as in I don’t like ice cream. Further, I don’t like pistachios. So why would you buy me pistachio ice cream? You can remember that farther is typically used for literal distance by remembering that it’s the comparative form of the adjective far, with the superlative form being farthest.Here’s an example of further and farther used correctly in the same sentence.Example: I have to drive farther than usual for work today—I’ll explain further when I get home.Want to learn more? Go the distance by reading the full breakdown of the difference between further and farther.

Commonly Confused

See farther.

Other Word Forms

• furtherer noun

Etymology

Origin of further

First recorded before 900; Middle English furthere, Old English furthra; cognate with German vordere “more advanced”

Example Sentences

Although the current vessel-chip design offers a more realistic view of blood vessels, the research team plans to take the work further.

From Science Daily

An Independent Investigating Officer is conducting a "further investigation", because of the "complexity of the matter and the serious nature" of allegations made, the council said.

From BBC

Inspectors wrote: "You should cease serving raw lobster immediately or further enforcement action in line with the council's enforcement policy may be considered."

From BBC

Andrew has previously strongly denied any wrongdoing in his associations with Epstein and rejected any suggestion he used his time as trade envoy to further his own interests.

From BBC

These days, a buyer with that same budget would have to look further west or south, and settle for either a longer commute time into New York City or a smaller lot size.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• encourage
• expedite
• facilitate
• hasten
• help
• promote
• speed