further

1 of 3

adverb

fur·​ther ˈfər-t͟hər 

1

: farther sense 1

my ponies are tired, and I have further to go

—Thomas Hardy

2

: to a greater degree or extent

further annoyed by a second intrusion

3

: in addition : moreover

Further, there are aurochs, red deer, wild boar, and large quantities of hare or rabbit.

—H. T. Waterbolk

Farther vs. Further: Usage Guide

Farther and further have been used more or less interchangeably throughout most of their history, but currently they are showing signs of diverging. As adverbs they continue to be used interchangeably whenever spatial, temporal, or metaphorical distance is involved. But where there is no notion of distance, further is used.

our techniques can be further refined

Further is also used as a sentence modifier

further, the workshop participants were scarcely optimistic

—L. B. Mayhew

, but farther is not. A polarizing process appears to be taking place in their adjective use. Farther is taking over the meaning of distance

the farther shore

and further the meaning of addition.

needed no further invitation

further

2 of 3

adjective

1

: farther sense 1

rode … across the valley and up the further slopes

—T. E. Lawrence

2

: going or extending beyond : additional

further volumes

further education

further

3 of 3

verb

furthered; furthering ˈfər-t͟hə-riŋ 

ˈfərt͟h-riŋ

transitive verb

: to help forward : promote

furtherer

ˈfər-t͟hər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

Adverb

• beyond
• farther
• yon
• yonder

Adjective

• added
• additional
• another
• else
• farther
• fresh
• more
• other

Verb

• advance
• cultivate
• encourage
• forward
• foster
• incubate
• nourish
• nurse
• nurture
• promote

Choose the Right Synonym for further

advance, promote, forward, further mean to help (someone or something) to move ahead.

advance stresses effective assisting in hastening a process or bringing about a desired end.

advance the cause of peace

promote suggests an encouraging or fostering and may denote an increase in status or rank.

a campaign to promote better health

forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead.

a wage increase would forward productivity

further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance.

used the marriage to further his career

Examples of further in a Sentence

Adverb

The town, such as it is, is one of those Northwest places that look like the outskirts of somewhere bigger, further down the road, but turn out to be all there is. —Jonathan Raban, New York Review of Books, 26 Mar. 2009

The Russian artillery fire and bombs are reaching further into the southern sections of the city … —Alessandra Stanley, New York Times, 17 Jan. 1995

… her example gave me courage to develop my own voice further. —Rita Dove, Essence, May 1995

We need to look back further into the past to find the cause of these problems.

I've never been further west than St. Louis.

Their house is further up the street.

We need to research further into this matter.

The police have been reluctant to take their investigation any further.

“They are not our friends.” “I would go even further and say they are our enemies.”

I had enough money to invest. I realized, further, that the risk was small.

Adjective

He will undergo further questioning.

If you need further information you can call me.

We do not expect any further deliveries today.

I have nothing further to say.

There is a further problem: do we have enough money?

We parked in the further lot.

There is more damage to the further part of the fence.

Verb

Their efforts greatly furthered the state of research.

The funds are to be used to further the public good.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

If the idea of lounging your way to fitness appeals, look no further, as the zero-impact ride gives you a full cardio workout. —Kathleen Willcox, Popular Mechanics, 3 Feb. 2023

Look no further than the following quad exercises, which are trainer faves. —Women's Health, 3 Feb. 2023

Adjective

Naloxone works by pushing the fentanyl molecules off the brain’s opioid receptors and then blocking any further fentanyl from attaching to the receptors. —Maurice Tamman, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024

The report also calls for changes in the Judicial Conference, the federal courts’ oversight body led by Chief Justice John Roberts, and further investigation by Congress. —Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024

Verb

Estrada said Sun previously served in the Chinese military and seemed to be ideologically invested in furthering the interests of China in the U.S. This article includes reporting from The Associated Press. —Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

With the emergence of generative AI, not only are industries on the path to change, but the roles AI will play will aid in furthering the connection of people and increasing efficiencies in the future. —Ashish Sukhadeve, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adverb, Adjective, and Verb

Middle English, from Old English furthor (akin to Old High German furthar further), comparative, from the base of Old English forth forth

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing further

• further education
• further to
• go no further
• nothing could be further from someone's mind
• nothing could be further from the truth
• nothing (further) to do with
• until further notice
• upon further review of
• without further ado

Video

Further vs. Farther

They started as same word, but their meanings have drifted apart over time.

Kids Definition

further

1 of 3 adverb

fur·​ther ˈfər-t͟hər 

1

: farther entry 1 sense 1

2

: in addition : besides, also

3

: to a greater degree or extent

further

2 of 3 verb

furthered; furthering ˈfərt͟h-(ə-)riŋ 

: to help forward : promote

furtherer

ˈfər-t͟hər-ər 

noun

further

3 of 3 adjective

1

: farther entry 2 sense 1

2

: going or extending beyond : additional

further study is needed