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far

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adjective, adverb American English pronunciation: far /fɑr/ 
Word Forms
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adjectivefar
comparativefarther or further
superlativefarthest or furthest
Far can be used in the following ways:
as an adverb: Have you traveled far today?
after the verb "to be": We can walk to school – it isn't far.
as an adjective: on the far side of the river
 
  1. 1
    used for talking about distance
    1. a.
      [usually in negatives or questions] a long distance

      You can go outside and play, but don't go far.

      far from:

      The main post office is not far from the library.

      far away:

      Then from far away the train whistle sounded.

      far back/above/below etc.:

      He always sat as far back as possible in the lecture hall.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of far
    2. b.
      used for asking or stating how great a distance is
      how far?:

      How far does this road go?

      How far is it to the next town?

      as far as:

      She had got as far as the museum before he found her.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of far
    3. c.
      [only before noun] used for referring to the end or side of something that is a greater distance from you

      She moved to the far side of the bed to make room.

      He saw Lynn standing at the far end of the bar.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of far
    4. d.
      [only before noun] used for referring to the part of an area or space that is nearest one side or end of it
      the far left/right:

      I'm the one on the far left.

      the far north/south/east/west:

      Riots broke out today in the far north of the country.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of far
    5. e.
      literary distant

      a traveler from a far country

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of far
  2. 2
    used for emphasizing a difference when you are making a comparison
    far more/bigger/better etc. (=much more, bigger, etc.):

    Something far more important was demanding his immediate attention.

    The senator is far more interested in the vote.

    far above/below (=much more or less than something):

    There are more than 97 signatures, which is far above the number required.

    The results were far below our expectations.

    far too much/big/easy etc. (=much too much, much too big, etc.):

    The issue is far too important to be discussed behind closed doors.

    You eat far too much.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of far
  3. 3
    used for saying or asking how much progress someone or something makes

    How far have you gotten with the planning?

    We want to stress just how far the committee has progressed.

    We're not going to get very far if we don't trust each other.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of far
  4. 4
    to a particular degree
    1. a.
      used for asking or saying how true something is or to what degree it happens

      How far do you think the novel supports the idea that women should never rely on men?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of far
    2. b.
      used for talking about how extreme someone's actions are or how great an effect they have
      go too far (=be too extreme):

      Do you think feminism has gone too far?

      carry something too far (=do something too much):

      I realize that she wants to protect her children, but she's carrying it too far.

      go as/so far as to do something:

      He even went as far as to accuse me of betraying him.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of far
  5. 5
    a long time in the past or the future, or a long time before or after a particular time
    far into:

    The bank had intended to be a global leader far into the next century.

    far back (=long ago):

    A castle has stood on this site since as far back as 1230.

    far in advance (=a long time before something):

    The date of an election is not normally announced so far in advance.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of far

phrases

This is the American English definition of far. View British English definition of far.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

View the pronunciation for far.

 

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