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)

• furthers,
  present (3rd person singular)
• furthered,
  past participle,  past
• furthering
  present participle

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

Derived Forms

• furtherer
  noun

Inflected Forms

Participles

• furthering
  present
• furthered
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• further
  simple
• furthers
  simple
• have furthered
  perfect
• has furthered
  perfect
• am furthering
  progressive
• are furthering
  progressive
• is furthering
  progressive
• have been furthering
  perfect progressive
• has been furthering
  perfect progressive

Past

• furthered
  simple
• had furthered
  perfect
• was furthering
  progressive
• were furthering
  progressive
• had been furthering
  perfect progressive

Future

• will further
  simple
• will have furthered
  perfect
• will be furthering
  progressive
• will have been furthering
  perfect progressive

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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

further furthers furthered furthering

Today, his commutations routinely cancel a recipient’s prison sentence “with no further fines, restitution, probation or other conditions.”

From Salon ● Sep. 27, 2026

The investigation was expanded to cover more hospitals where further incidents were uncovered.

From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026

Moreover, although he holds passports for both countries, he has further fortified his safety net with German citizenship, for which he is eligible due to his German-born parents.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026

"It would be inappropriate to comment further whilst investigations are ongoing."

From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026

I slunk further into the shadows, hunching over so he wouldn’t notice me as he left.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

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

And Lena reflects an archetypal American figure central to black culture and pride: the matriarch who, against considerable obstacles, holds together a family and furthers its ambitions through her personal integrity and fortitude.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 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

The move furthers Allen’s retrenchment after a $1-billion buying spree in recent years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2025

Then, indeed, we shall be left merely with ideals of life in our hands, but with no assurance that real life, in its wholeness, approves or furthers these ideals.

From The Sources Of Religious Insight by Josiah Royce

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

An 11-count indictment alleges the nonprofit committed financial crimes by telling donors their money was being put toward dismantling hate groups when instead it sometimes furthered their interests.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 22, 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

And since it doesn’t come naturally to many elementary students, it must be furthered by doing numerous problems, some practical, some more fanciful.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Sandisk’s stock was furthering a sharp rally off recent lows — such that it’s now up more than 60% in just over two weeks.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 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

Yet, Inouye-Perez and Fernandez not only chose to stick around the game, but to reinvest their time in furthering the league and sport altogether.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026

And though the suit doesn’t name the classmate, her name has now leaked via court documents, furthering an already pronounced imbalance of power.

From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2026

The penalty for furthering the aims of the ANC was imprisonment for up to ten years.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

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