further

/ˈfʌrðər/

/ˈfʌðə/

Other forms: furthering; furthered; furthers; furtherest; furtherer

If you ask your parents for money, they might say they need to think about it further and then ask you lots of questions. Further refers to figurative distance, like a thought you need more time on.

Further often gets confused with farther, but it's better to use further to mean an abstract distance, when two things are moving apart in terms of ideals, agreement, or thoughts, and farther when you're talking about physical distance. There's also a verb form of further that means "to promote the growth or progress of," which you might use in a sentence like, "These new gigs should help her further her career as a rock musician."

Definitions of further

1. 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)
   “further complicated by uncertainty about the future”

   “let's not discuss it further”

   “nothing could be further from the truth”

   “they are further along in their research than we expected”

   synonyms: farther
2. adverb

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

   “further in the future”

   synonyms: farther
3. adjective

   more distant in especially degree
   “nothing could be further from the truth”

   “further from our expectations”

   synonyms: farther

   far

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

   in addition or furthermore
   “if we further suppose”

   “stated further that he would not cooperate with them”

   “further, they should be here already”
5. verb

   contribute to the progress or growth of
   synonyms: advance, boost, encourage, promote

   types:

   connive at, wink at

   give one's silent approval to

   foster

   promote the growth of

   spur

   incite or stimulate

   help

   contribute to the furtherance of

   carry

   take further or advance

   feed

   support or promote

   conduce, contribute, lead

   be conducive to

   type of:

   back up, support

   give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to
6. verb

   promote the growth of
   synonyms: foster

   type of:

   advance, boost, encourage, promote

   contribute to the progress or growth of