How to Use Further vs. Farther (Word Choice, Usage)

First published on March 11, 2024 by Dalia Y.|Last revised on October 28, 2025

Further vs. farther Further and farther are both the comparative forms of the adjective or adverb "far", and can mean "at or to a greater distance in space or time", and to "help something to develop...

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How to Use Further vs. Farther (Word Choice, Usage)

Further vs. farther: what's the difference?

Further and farther are both the comparative forms of the adjective or adverb "far", and can mean "at or to a greater distance in space or time", and to "help something to develop or be successful".

Because both words can function in sentences as verbs, adverbs and adjectives, combined with their similar in meaning, they naturally get confused. Some distinctions between them to note are in the rest of this article.

When to use further vs. farther

Farther is the preference to refer to distances (physical or literal); e.g., "It's farther away than I'd thought."
As an adverb and adjective, further means "additionally", "also" or "more". As in, "are there any further questions?" Its meaning here is not shared with its counterpart "farther".

Note: Some sources suggest to reserve the use of "farther" to physical distances only, and not for figurative distances; so, in the sentence "nothing could be farther from the truth", should use 'further' in its place since the distance being mentioned is figurative.

Furthest vs. farthest

As further and farther are the comparative forms, furthest and farthest are their corresponding superlative forms. The distinction in when to use either carries over to its superlative case.

Generally, farthest is more common to refer to physical distances; e.g., "among all his cousins he lives farthest from the lake".
Use furthest when the "distance" is figurative or not physical; "this is the furthest we've gotten in developing the research".

"Further" / "farther", used in sentences

• Without that last-minute salvation, I would have had to return next summer to get to St. Kilda, which is another (nearly) hundred miles further west.

• Also, she was tall and thin, too, further adding to the ways she met the physical beauty conventions.

• Of course, our original snowfall prediction made Tuesday, was farther off in many areas.

• Fairfax County is offering free transportation to vaccination sites for some residents who live farther away.

Synonyms & nearby words

Synonyms for further (as in, additionally)

additionally moreover in addition also to a greater extent supplementary

Synonyms for further (verb: to promote/develop)

promote advance forward develop stimulate aide expedite encourage

Synonyms for farther (as a preposition, meaning at a greater distance)

afar at a greater distance away beyond ahead yonder a good way

Word origins

Old English furðor, forðor "to a more advanced position, forward, onward, beyond, more distant; farther away; later, afterward; to a greater degree or extent, in addition; moreover".

Practice quiz: Further or farther?

Question 1 of 5

He can throw the ball ______ than anyone else on the team.

farther
further

Do you have any ______ questions?

further
farther

The mountain peak is much ______ away than I thought.

farther
further

We need to discuss this ______ before making a decision.

further
farther

How much ______ is it to the nearest gas station?

farther
further

FAQs

When should I use 'farther'? +

'Farther' is the preference to refer to distances that are physical or literal. For instance, you would use 'farther' to describe how far away a mountain or town is.

When should I use 'further'? +

'Further' is typically used for figurative distance or extent, such as in discussions or progress. It also means "additionally," "also," or "more," as in "any further questions."

What's the usage difference? +

The post suggests using 'farther' for physical or literal distances, while 'further' is for figurative distances or when it means "additionally" or "more."

Are 'furthest' and 'farthest' related? +

Yes, 'furthest' and 'farthest' are the superlative forms of 'further' and 'farther'. Their usage distinction for distance carries over from the comparative forms.

Why are 'further' and 'farther' confusing? +

These words are confusing because they are both comparative forms of "far," can share similar meanings about distance, and function as verbs, adverbs, and adjectives.