Farther
/ˈfɑːrðər/
Definitions
2 meaningsAt or to a greater distance in space or time.
/ˈfɑːrðər/
He ran farther than anyone else in the race.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're throwing a ball. If your friend throws it *farther* than you, it means their ball went a longer distance. It's all about comparing how far things go!
👶 For kids: Being a longer distance. Like, "Can you run farther than your brother?"
More Examples
We explored farther into the forest.
The journey took us farther than we had expected.
How It's Used
"He walked farther than I did."
"The road goes farther into the mountains."
Located at a greater distance or extent.
/ˈfɑːrðər/
More distant.
The farther planet from the sun is Neptune.
💡 Simply: If you're talking about a place that's a little further away than another, you'd say it's the *farther* place.
👶 For kids: Being a longer distance away. Like, "The farther house is my friend's."
More Examples
He decided to explore the farther reaches of the cave.
We sailed to the farther side of the island.
How It's Used
"The farther shore of the lake was barely visible."
From Old English *feorr* (far) + comparative suffix *-ther*. Related to German *ferner*.
Historically used as a comparative of 'far,' predating the usage of 'further' in that role, though both are now commonly interchangeable in many cases, particularly concerning metaphorical distances.
Memory tip
Think of the word 'far'. 'Farther' indicates an increase in distance.