further
Americanadverb
adjective
-
more distant or remote; farther.
The map shows it to be further than I thought.
-
more extended.
Does this mean a further delay?
-
Further meetings seem pointless.
verb (used with object)
-
furthers,
present (3rd person singular)
-
furthered,
past participle, past
-
furthering
present participle
adverb
-
in addition; furthermore
-
to a greater degree or extent
-
to or at a more advanced point
-
to or at a greater distance in time or space; farther
adjective
-
additional; more
-
more distant or remote in time or space; farther
verb
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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
furthersimple
-
furtherssimple
-
have furtheredperfect
-
has furtheredperfect
-
am furtheringprogressive
-
are furtheringprogressive
-
is furtheringprogressive
-
have been furtheringperfect progressive
-
has been furtheringperfect progressive
Past
-
furtheredsimple
-
had furtheredperfect
-
was furtheringprogressive
-
were furtheringprogressive
-
had been furtheringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of further
First recorded before 900; Middle English furthere, Old English furthra; cognate with German vordere “more advanced”
Explanation
If you ask your parents for money, they might say they need to think about it further and then ask you lots of questions. Further refers to figurative distance, like a thought you need more time on. Further often gets confused with farther, but it's better to use further to mean an abstract distance, when two things are moving apart in terms of ideals, agreement, or thoughts, and farther when you're talking about physical distance. There's also a verb form of further that means "to promote the growth or progress of," which you might use in a sentence like, "These new gigs should help her further her career as a rock musician."
Vocabulary lists containing further
Commonly Confused Words, List 1
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Commonly Confused Words, List 4
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Commonly Confused Words, List 6
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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.
See Examples For:
It said it would be using an AI-based monitoring system to identify ads that continue to break the rules and would "take further action where needed".
From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2026
“With a December hike already the base case, further dollar gains may require stronger bets on a half-point move,” DHF Capital asset manager Bas Kooijman said in a note.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 11, 2026
Logan also said that the success of this election “is not guaranteed going forward,” and should be understood by state and county officials as further proof that investments in elections in L.A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2026
Laura Miller argues that it’s leaning into dark romance—and getting further away from the essence of Tolkien’s work.
From Slate ● Nov. 11, 2026
Maggie sarcastically asked the “kind, dear spirits” to cooperate further, and “a hailstorm of responsive knocks” rained down as the audience roared, some in disbelief, others in approval.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
That it’s taken this long to reach what could be a watershed moment speaks volumes about how every passing day furthers humanity’s desensitization.
From Salon ● Sep. 21, 2026
"It's incredibly painful. It furthers our resolve to see this through until the bitter end because we can't bring him back," Webber said.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026
With the spacious GV80, Hyundai Motor Group furthers its ambition to rule the premium SUV market.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 8, 2026
But Dan Wasiolek, senior equity analyst at Morningstar, told MarketWatch that the deal furthers his belief that prediction-market competition is overstated.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 1, 2026
Mrs. Gaskell furthers says that, after the interview with the coachman, Branwell was found utterly prostrated by the intimation that he must never again even see the lady whom he thought he might then marry.
From The Bront? Family, Vol. 2 of 2 with special reference to Patrick Branwell Bront? by Francis A. Leyland
SpaceX’s stock furthered its decline on Tuesday, extending its recent streak of losses to record a new intraday low.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 23, 2026
The company during the period furthered its AI efforts with the launch of first-party tools, including an AI assistant for drivers, as well as announcing 10 new and expanded AV partnerships.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 6, 2026
One of those Ins for 2024 was finding a creative hobby that furthered my artistic pursuits outside my preferred and beloved relationship with writing.
From Salon ● Jan. 4, 2025
Mr. Francis’ actions not only degraded the 7th Fleet’s readiness but shook the Fleet’s trust in its leadership who furthered his corrupt practices,” Kelly said.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2024
The fact that they were exactly alike, that they were surrounded by the same barren hard-packed earth, furthered the illusion.
From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry
But there were accusations from some BBC staff that Wilcox, who was her boss as well as her husband, was furthering her career, pointing out that BBC rules forbade married couples working together.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
The lawyers said Aktor is an “attractive candidate for furthering U.S. goals and interests” because it has no ties to Russian gas, unlike some of its Greek competitors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026
The proposal, which exempts tribal Head Starts furthering tribal languages, is currently undergoing public comment through Oct.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026
GSK in June announced a $10.6-billion deal for Nuvalent, a Boston-based specialist in cancer treatments, furthering its push into both oncology and the United States.
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
They’d poured themselves into their jobs because they believed thoroughly in the causes they were furthering.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
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