farther
Americanadverb
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at or to a greater distance.
He went farther down the road.
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at or to a more advanced point.
They are going no farther in their studies.
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at or to a greater degree or extent.
The application of the law was extended farther.
adjective
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more distant or remote than something or some place nearer.
the farther side of the mountain.
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extending or tending to a greater distance.
He made a still farther trip.
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Nonstandard. further.
adverb
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to or at a greater distance in space or time
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in addition
adjective
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more distant or remote in space or time
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additional
Usage
What’s the difference between farther and further? Farther most commonly means at or to a greater distance, especially a literal distance, as in a few steps farther or two miles farther or We’re moving even farther away. Further can mean the same thing as farther but 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. 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 often being 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 farther and further 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 farther and further.
Commonly Confused
Although some usage guides insist that only farther should be used for physical distance ( We walked farther than we planned ), farther and further have been used interchangeably throughout much of their histories. However, only further is used in the adverbial sense “moreover” ( Further, you hurt my feelings ) and in the adjectival senses “more extended” ( no further comment ) and “additional” ( Further bulletins came in ). The expression all the farther (or further ) in place of as far as occurs chiefly in informal speech: This is all the farther the train goes. See also all.
Etymology
Origin of farther
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English ferther; originally variant of further
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Over the course of 10 days, the crew of four astronauts will travel farther from Earth than any human before them.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
The capsule will carry the first Black person, first woman and first non-American to travel around the moon — potentially traveling farther and reentering the Earth’s atmosphere faster than any other human mission in history.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
If all goes according to plan, the four will travel a total of almost 700,000 miles External link and travel farther from Earth than any humans have ever gone.
From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026
The development is designed to capitalize on Hutchinson Island’s growing appeal as a quieter alternative to more densely built luxury markets farther south.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026
We followed the road to the top of a steep hill, and by then Mutti could carry Karli no farther.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
