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:
But, she said, the moment felt like it was changing, and she hopes "American Doctor" might further shift the narrative.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
Over time, their stakes will dilute further as current holders give their equity away and the ownership group keeps expanding.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
In that time he estimates he has been involved in getting 16 bills into law and has had a hand in a further 25 law changes.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
Bryson believes “it’s unlikely that Cerebras incorporated either deal into its initial guidance, meaning both partnerships should create some further room for upside in future quarters vs. prior management expectations.”
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
“If you must know,” I said, “it comes from a German officer. But you mustn’t ask any further questions.”
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
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
As MMA solidifies, “it produces heat, and then in producing that heat, it furthers the chain reaction, so it keeps going and going and going,” Bernal said.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026
Tim Cook steps down as Apple’s CEO, RFK Jr. furthers the peptides fad, and The Onion finally gets InfoWars.
From Slate ● Apr. 25, 2026
"John is an adventurer that believes in nothing, has no cause and furthers this warfare for loot and the possible chance of escape when the conflict comes."
From The City of Delight A Love Drama of the Siege and Fall of Jerusalem by Frank X. Leyendecker
A string of high-profile layoff announcements in which executives have attributed steep job cuts to AI have furthered Americans’ mistrust of the technology.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026
Workday’s stock has been beaten down by artificial-intelligence fears, and Tuesday’s earnings report only furthered those concerns.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 24, 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
He zealously implemented the reforms requested by Stone that furthered his own desire to remake the bureau into a modern force.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
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
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
“People have to go out and support the arts, actively, to keep them alive, and I know that I will have a lifelong commitment to furthering this cause.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 12, 2026
I didn’t think it was lame so much as more of Alaska’s intentional vagueness, another example of her furthering her own mysteriousness.
From "Looking for Alaska" by John Green
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.
