far

adjective, adverb

UK /fɑː(r)/

Word Forms

adjective	far
comparative	farther or further
superlative	farthest or furthest

Far can be used in the following ways:

as an adverb: Have you travelled 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
used for talking about distance
1. 1a
  usually in negatives or questionsa 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.
  Synonyms and related words
  Not near and difficult to reach
  distant
  far
  apart
2. 1b
  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.
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating to or describing distance
  long
  little
  away
3. 1c
  only before nounused 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.
  Synonyms and related words
  Not near and difficult to reach
  distant
  far
  apart
4. 1d
  only before nounused 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:
  a little village in the far north of Scotland
  Synonyms and related words
  Function words referring to location
  about
  across
  after
5. 1e
  literarydistant
  a traveller from a far country
  Synonyms and related words
  Not near and difficult to reach
  distant
  far
  apart
Usage note
Far is used mainly in questions and negatives when talking about distance. In positive statements we usually say a long way: It’s a long way to the nearest hospital.
2
used for emphasizing a difference when you are making a comparison
far more/bigger/better etc (=much more, bigger etc):
The situation is bad in England, but it is far worse in Scotland.
The Prime Minister 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 required number.
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.
Synonyms and related words
Ways of comparing things
than
relatively
whereas
3
used for saying or asking how much progress someone or something makes
How far have you got 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.
Synonyms and related words
Progress and development
progress
development
advance
4
to a particular degree
1. 4a
  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?
  The latest opinion polls show how far the government’s popularity has fallen.
  Synonyms and related words
  Serious, severe and extreme
  serious
  severe
  extreme
2. 4b
  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.
  Synonyms and related words
  Serious, severe and extreme
  serious
  severe
  extreme
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.
Synonyms and related words
At an unspecified time in the future
later
someday
sooner or later
Synonyms and related words
A long time ago
in the old days
way back
long

phrases

as far as I know/can remember/can see/can tell

as far as it goes

as far as possible

by far

far and wide

far be it from me to do something

far from

far from it

far removed from something

the far right/left

not far off (the mark)

not go far

someone should/will go far

so far

so far, so good

a...too far

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