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)
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Commonly Confused Words, List 4
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Commonly Confused Words, List 6
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
Is this an opportunity to leave it to heirs, give it to charity or further your own education?
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
Authorities have not provided further details, and a police spokesperson didn’t immediately respond Sunday afternoon to an email and voicemail seeking comment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
The expected return of the mistral wind has raised fears of a further deterioration in conditions, authorities said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026
Parts of the northern and western UK saw some rainfall over the weekend, with further showers and unsettled conditions expected over the next few days.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
“Report back to the Park tomorrow. Ask for Commander Bradley. He will provide further information and orders.”
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
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
A solid start to the year for Carlsberg furthers signs of recovery for brewers after a period of declining volumes and revenue.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 29, 2026
"Those early years were bit parts, chorus lines, lots of rejection... but my dear dad always reminded me that perseverance furthers, that was his motto."
From BBC ● Apr. 12, 2026
The move furthers Allen’s retrenchment after a $1-billion buying spree in recent years.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2025
By not interfering with, we know how much it furthers, the administration of Justice.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 62, January 1, 1872 by Various
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
These experts then furthered the complexity of the systems under their purview, creating a self-sustaining cycle in which ever more expertise was required to deal with ever more complexity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 18, 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
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
And a new deal with Advanced Micro Devices is furthering that notable rally.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 16, 2026
“This establishes Canada as a heartland for Shell while furthering our strategy to deliver more value with less emissions,” Shell Chief Executive Wael Sawan said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 27, 2026
"Like most 18 year olds, I saw university as furthering your education, a chance to better yourself," he said.
From BBC ● Feb. 23, 2026
After the war Fankuchen lost interest in viruses, and, though Bernal dabbled at protein crystallography, he was more concerned about furthering good relations with the Communist countries.
From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson
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.
