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)
-
furthers,
present (3rd person singular)
-
furthered,
past participle, past
-
furthering
present participle
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
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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:
Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC also told the hearing there were further witnesses who have died since the incident.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
The last option would be to not pursue this case further.
From Slate ● Sep. 4, 2026
The projects became further bogged down after major U.S. oil companies declined to participate when better opportunities beckoned.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
It made sense to pursue further talks to obtain improvements, he added.
From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026
Raps were heard in the cellar, as the spirits spelled a message that stopped further digging: “Dear faithful friends, your work here is done.”
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
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
"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
It is the latest acquisition by the Wall Street firm to broaden its offerings to clients outside of traditional investing and furthers Chief Executive David Solomon’s goal of building up the bank’s asset-management division.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 1, 2025
The move furthers Allen’s retrenchment after a $1-billion buying spree in recent years.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2025
None can fail to see how a simple part may, in course of generations, be greatly enlarged, if each enlargement furthers, in some decided way, maintenance of the species.
From Essays: Scientific, Political, & Speculative, Vol. I by Herbert Spencer
Workday’s stock has been beaten down by artificial-intelligence fears, and Tuesday’s earnings report only furthered those concerns.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 24, 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
He zealously implemented the reforms requested by Stone that furthered his own desire to remake the bureau into a modern force.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
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
Yet, Inouye-Perez and Fernandez not only chose to stick around the game, but to reinvest their time in furthering the league and sport altogether.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 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
Gross domestic product expanded 0.5% in the three months through March, furthering the 0.2% expansion during the final quarter of 2025, Switzerland’s statistics office said Monday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 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.
