further

[ fur-ther ]

/ ˈfɜr ðər /

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See synonyms for: further / furthered / furthering / furthers on Thesaurus.com

adverb, comparative of far, with furthest as superlative.

at or to a greater distance; farther: I'm too tired to go further.

at or to a more advanced point; to a greater extent: Let's not discuss it further.

in addition; moreover: Further, he should be here any minute.

adjective, comparative of far, with furthest as superlative.

more distant or remote; farther: The map shows it to be further than I thought.

more extended: Does this mean a further delay?

additional; more: Further meetings seem pointless.

verb (used with object)

to help forward (a work, undertaking, cause, etc.); promote; advance; forward: You can always count on him to further his own interests.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of further

First recorded before 900; Middle English furthere, Old English furthra; cognate with German vordere “more advanced”

words often confused with further

See farther.

OTHER WORDS FROM further

fur·ther·er, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH further

farther, further (see confusables note at farther)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use further in a sentence

In fact, the exact opposite is true as Hollywood has made millions furthering the worst image of Muslims.
13 Years After 9/11, Anti-Muslim Bigotry Is Worse Than Ever|Dean Obeidallah|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The summit, held this past Tuesday, does not seem to have made any breakthroughs on furthering the peace process.
Taliban’s Quetta Shura Meet in Islamabad to Press for Peace|Ron Moreau|November 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
We needed him to be wary, absorbed, and a little bit gruff, and he gamely complied, thereby furthering his own self-made legend.
Michael Musto: Lou Reed Made Me A Believer—In Transvestism, Prostitution, and Lou Reed|Michael Musto|October 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
By the time contact is made, from the fan's point of view, it's the next step in furthering a relationship.
Porn Superfans: Aurora Snow on the Relationship Between Cam Girls and Their Fans|Aurora Snow|April 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST

In addition to that accusation, Peres was for a long time viewed as a politician interested only in furthering his own position.
The Abba Eban Factor|Brent E. Sasley|December 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Men began to practise eloquence as an art, and to employ it in furthering their interests.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I|John Lord
He sensed she could be coldly calculating; that neither qualm nor principle would keep her from furthering her own ends.
Warrior of the Dawn|Howard Carleton Browne
That simile, then considered the height of sublimity, had a powerful effect in furthering the writer's fortunes.
The Cornwall Coast|Arthur L. Salmon
It is a practical problem, the fostering of human life and the furthering of its development.
The Book of Life: Vol. I Mind and Body; Vol. II Love and Society|Upton Sinclair
He has served as school clerk and has been instrumental in furthering the interests of the local educational system.
Lyman's History of old Walla Walla County, Vol. 2 (of 2)|William Denison Lyman

British Dictionary definitions for further

further

/ (ˈfɜːðə) /

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

(tr) to assist the progress of; promote

Derived forms of further

furtherer, noun

Word Origin for further

Old English furthor; related to Old Frisian further, Old Saxon furthor, Old High German furdar; see forth

undefined further

See farther

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with further

further

see without further ado.

further

Origin of further

words often confused with further

OTHER WORDS FROM further

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH further

Words related to further

How to use further in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for further

Derived forms of further

Word Origin for further

undefined further

Other Idioms and Phrases with further