English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

adjective B1 Intermediate Common

farther

FAR-dhur

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Farther (adjective) means More distant in space; at a greater distance. Example: “The farther bank of the river was hard to reach.”

adjective

1

More distant in space; at a greater distance.

"The farther bank of the river was hard to reach."

"Which town is farther from London, Bath or York?"

"We took the farther path around the lake."

adverb

1

To or at a greater distance in space.

"We walked farther than we had planned."

"She threw the ball farther than anyone else."

"The trail continues farther into the hills."

How to use farther

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFarther describes something being a greater distance away, in physical space.

When to use it

Farther is generally kept for literal distance, while further is used for both distance and figurative extent.

Memory tip

If you are not talking about physical distance, further is the safer choice than farther.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

further →

Common pairings

farther away farther down the road farther than expected travel farther farther afield

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “farther” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ bank of the river was hard to reach.

Etymology

Farther is a variant spelling that developed alongside further, both going back to Old English forms such as forþor and furþor. The word ultimately combines the idea of fore with an old comparative ending, making it a comparative of far.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

further

Antonyms

nearer

Related words

more other yet further additional closer advance promote

Frequently asked questions

What does farther mean?

It describes a greater physical distance, as in a place or object being farther away than another.

Is farther the same as further?

They come from the same root and are often interchangeable, but farther is generally kept for physical distance while further covers extent, degree or addition as well.

Can farther be used for time or degree, not just distance?

It is mainly used for physical distance; for time, degree or additional points, further is the usual and more natural choice.

What is the meaning of farther?

"farther" (adjective) means more distant in space; at a greater distance.

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