further

[ fur-ther ]

adverb

1. at or to a greater distance; farther:

   I'm too tired to go further.

2. at or to a more advanced point; to a greater extent:

   Let's not discuss it further.

3. in addition; moreover:

   Further, he should be here any minute.

adjective

1. more distant or remote; farther:

   The map shows it to be further than I thought.

2. more extended:

   Does this mean a further delay?

3. additional; more:

   Further meetings seem pointless.

verb (used with object)

1. to help forward (a work, undertaking, cause, etc.); promote; advance; forward:

   You can always count on him to further his own interests.

further

/ ˈfɜːðə /

adverb

1. in addition; furthermore
2. to a greater degree or extent
3. to or at a more advanced point
4. to or at a greater distance in time or space; farther

adjective

1. additional; more
2. more distant or remote in time or space; farther

verb

1. tr to assist the progress of; promote

Usage

See farther

Confusables Note

See farther.

Derived Forms

• ˈfurtherer, noun

Other Words From

• further·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of further¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of further¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see without further ado .

Example Sentences

The researchers stress the importance of further studies, especially randomised controlled clinical trials, to better understand the mechanisms behind the findings.

From Science Daily

The Ohio-born comic further established his comedy cred when he became the youngest stand-up comedian to sell out the Hollywood Bowl during the second installment of the Netflix Is a Joke Festival in May.

From Los Angeles Times

Adams Kellum said she welcomed the audit to see if the agency is “on the right track for system improvement that we’ve already put in place, and to further let us know what’s missing.”

From Los Angeles Times

The benefits would be even larger if we reduced sugar consumption even further.

From Salon

He unexpectedly extended his visit by a day for further discussions.

From BBC

Related Words

• again
• also
• farther
• then
• yet

Further Vs. Farther

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.

Quiz yourself on further vs. farther!

Should further or farther be used in the following sentence?

They are doing this simply to _____ their agenda.