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?
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Further meetings seem pointless.
verb (used with object)
adverb
-
in addition; furthermore
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to a greater degree or extent
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to or at a more advanced point
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to or at a greater distance in time or space; farther
adjective
-
additional; more
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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
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furthersimple
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furtherssimple
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have furtheredperfect
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has furtheredperfect
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am furtheringprogressive
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are furtheringprogressive
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is furtheringprogressive
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have been furtheringperfect progressive
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has been furtheringperfect progressive
Past
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furtheredsimple
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had furtheredperfect
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was furtheringprogressive
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were furtheringprogressive
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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:
If you think about your children and grandchildren, it stretches even further.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026
Clark is trying to expand his team further to increase investments in industries including advanced energy, aerospace and defense, and tech.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
Down the road near Chippenham, Godwin's family have gone a step further, installing a network of what they call 'cow showers'- sprinklers that douse the cattle with cool water.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
"As of today, Have a Nice Stay will cease operation temporarily," the sign said, saying they would notify customers who had ordered books online of further arrangements.
From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026
The snowy owl went back to her studies, and Duane took his leave as quietly as possible so as to disturb her no further.
From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el
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
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
Virtue, then, is the supreme good, and makes everything that furthers it, whether pleasurable or painful, good.
From The Five Great Philosophies of Life by Hyde, William De Witt
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
But it has also aided warring parties when it furthered its interests.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 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
But a lot of my artistic heroes have furthered a vision through age.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2024
I surprise even myself, that I would dare to dispute with a priest during the Mass. Five months of convent life have, in their way, furthered my education, if not my humility.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
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
And a new deal with Advanced Micro Devices is furthering that notable rally.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 16, 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
Despite her personal misgivings, Penelope thanked both of the young servants profusely for their willingness to spend their time furthering the children’s education.
From "The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling" by Maryrose Wood
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.
