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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | feorr |
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far1 S1 W1
comparative farther or, further, superlative farthest or, furthest
comparative farther or, further, superlative farthest or, furthest1
distance
a) a long distance [↪ a long way]: Have you driven far? Since I changed jobs, I have to travel further to get to work. Let's see who can jump the furthest! The lake is about 4 miles away, but we probably won't get that far (=won't go as far as that place).
Have you driven far?Since I changed jobs, I have to travel further to get to work.Let's see who can jump the furthest! far away She wants to move as far away from here as possible. They could hear the sound of water not far away.
She wants to move as far away from here as possible.They could hear the sound of water not far away. further afield (=further away from where you are now) If you want to go further afield, there are bicycles for hire.
If you want to go further afield, there are bicycles for hire.The lake is about 4 miles away, but we probably won't get that far (=won't go as far as that place).b) used when asking the distance between two places, or when talking about the distance between two places : How far is it to the station? The man didn't say how far it was to the next town.
how far
How far is it to the station?The man didn't say how far it was to the next town.c) to a place or point, but not beyond it : They managed to get as far as the Spanish border.
! Far is used mainly in questions and negative sentences. In other kinds of sentences use a long way away The airport is quite a long way away (NOT is quite far).as far as something
They managed to get as far as the Spanish border.2 very much, or to a great degree
a lot/very much
far better/easier etc The new system is far better than the old one. There are a far greater number of women working in television than twenty years ago.
The new system is far better than the old one.There are a far greater number of women working in television than twenty years ago. far above/below/beyond He bought it for a price that was far beyond (=much more than) its real value. The teacher said that her writing skills were far below average.
He bought it for a price that was far beyond (=much more than) its real value.The teacher said that her writing skills were far below average. not far off/out/wrong (=close to being correct) I guessed it would cost $100 and it was $110, so I was not far out.
I guessed it would cost $100 and it was $110, so I was not far out.3 used to talk about how much progress someone makes, or how much effect something has : He started to explain, but he didn't get far (=he did not succeed in saying very much) before Mary interrupted him. Many people felt that the new law did not go far enough (=did not have a big enough effect, so that more needed to be done).
progress
He started to explain, but he didn't get far (=he did not succeed in saying very much) before Mary interrupted him.Many people felt that the new law did not go far enough (=did not have a big enough effect, so that more needed to be done).5 to do something too extreme : One day she will go too far. Some people thought he had gone too far in his criticism of the police.
go too far
also take/carry something too farOne day she will go too far.Some people thought he had gone too far in his criticism of the police.6 to do or say something extreme : The government went so far as to try to arrest opposition leaders. I wouldn't go so far as to say that we agreed on the subject.
go so far/as far as to do something
spokenThe government went so far as to try to arrest opposition leaders.I wouldn't go so far as to say that we agreed on the subject.7 until now : So far we have not had to borrow any money. They're delighted with the replies they've received from the public thus far.
so far
also thus far formalSo far we have not had to borrow any money.They're delighted with the replies they've received from the public thus far.8 used to say that things have been happening successfully until now : We've reached the semi-finals. So far so good.
so far so good
spokenWe've reached the semi-finals. So far so good.9 used to say that something very different is true or happens : Conditions are still far from ideal.
far from something
Conditions are still far from ideal.10 used to say that the opposite of what has just been said is true : 'Are you bored?' 'Far from it. I could listen all night.' Local people aren't objecting - far from it.
far from it
spoken'Are you bored?' 'Far from it. I could listen all night.'Local people aren't objecting - far from it.12 used to say that something is much better, worse etc than anything else : Watching sport was by far the most popular activity on Saturday afternoons. Spring is far and away the best time to visit the islands.
by far/far and away
Watching sport was by far the most popular activity on Saturday afternoons.Spring is far and away the best time to visit the islands.13 used to say that you think someone will be successful in the future : He was the best student in his year, and everyone was sure he would go far.
somebody will/would/should etc go far
He was the best student in his year, and everyone was sure he would go far.14 used when giving your opinion about something : As far as I'm concerned she can come home whenever she likes.
as/so far as I'm concerned
spokenAs far as I'm concerned she can come home whenever she likes.15 used when you want to talk about a particular thing : As far as money's concerned, there shouldn't be a problem.
as/so far as something is concerned
spokenAs far as money's concerned, there shouldn't be a problem.16 used to say that you think that something is true, although it is possible that you do not know all the facts or cannot remember completely : There weren't any buildings there at all, as far as I can remember. As far as I can see, there's nothing else to discuss.
as/so far as I know/I can remember/I can tell/I can see etc
spokenThere weren't any buildings there at all, as far as I can remember.As far as I can see, there's nothing else to discuss.17 used when saying that you do not want to criticize someone or say what they should do, especially when this is what you are really about to do : Far be it from me to teach you your job, but don't you think you should have been more careful?
far be it from me to do something
spokenFar be it from me to teach you your job, but don't you think you should have been more careful?18 used to say that an idea, suggestion, plan etc is satisfactory, but only to a limited degree : His theories are fine, as far as they go.
as far as it goes
His theories are fine, as far as they go.19
not go far
a) if money does not go far, you cannot buy very much with it : My salary doesn't go very far these days.
My salary doesn't go very far these days.b) if a supply of something does not go far, it is not enough : The coffee won't go far if everyone wants a cup.
The coffee won't go far if everyone wants a cup.20 to the degree that : The research suggests that the drug will be successful, in so far as one can draw conclusions from such a small sample size.
in so far as/insofar as/in as far as
formalThe research suggests that the drug will be successful, in so far as one can draw conclusions from such a small sample size.