farther

/ˈfɑrðər/

/ˈfɑðə/

Farther means a greater distance away. You thought you'd be able to hit that can with a rock, but it fell short, so you'll have to try throwing it farther.

The word farther is good for measurable things, things that are far far away or at least farther than something else. If your blindfolded friend is missing the piñata, tell her, "go farther to the left." It’s often confused with further, which is good for abstractions, like when your teacher asks you to take an argument further. So use far for space, and fur for ideas (and animals).

Definitions of farther

1. adjective

   more distant in especially space or time
   “they live in the farther house”

   synonyms:

   far

   located at a great distance in time or space or degree
2. adjective

   more distant in especially degree
   “farther from the truth”

   “farther from our expectations”

   synonyms: further

   far

   located at a great distance in time or space or degree
3. adverb

   to or at a greater distance in time or space (`farther' is used more frequently than `further' in this physical sense)
   “farther north”

   “moved farther away”

   “farther down the corridor”

   “the practice may go back still farther to the Druids”

   synonyms: further
4. adverb

   to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (`further' is used more often than `farther' in this abstract sense)
   “the application of the law was extended farther”

   “he is going no farther in his studies”

   synonyms: further