far*/*/*/

[fɑː]

(comparative farther [ˈfɑːðə] further; [ˈfɜːðə] ; superlative farthest [ˈfɑːðɪst] furthest; [ˈfɜːðɪst] ) adj, adv

1) a long distance used for talking about a long distance, or for asking or stating how great a distance is

You can go outside and play, but don't go far.[/ex]

How far (= what distance) is it to the next town?[/ex]

The main post office is not far from the library.[/ex]

We can't walk to the cinema, it's too far.[/ex]

I wish you didn't live so far away.[/ex]

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) most distant most distant from someone or from the centre

He saw Lynn standing at the far end of the bar.[/ex]

I'm the one on the far left.[/ex]

3) for emphasis in comparisons used for emphasizing a difference when you are making a comparison

The situation is bad in England, but it is far worse in Scotland.[/ex]

You eat far too much.[/ex]

The last question was the hardest by far.[/ex]

4) for talking about progress or success used for saying or asking how much progress someone or something makes

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

With her talent and enthusiasm Linda should go far (= be very successful).[/ex]

5) to a particular degree used for talking about the degree to which something happens or how extreme an action is

The opinion polls show how far his popularity has fallen.[/ex]

Do you think feminism has gone too far (= become too extreme)?[/ex]

He even went as far as to accuse me of betraying him.[/ex]

6) for talking about time a long time before or after

A castle has stood on this site since as far back as 1230.[/ex]

She will be remembered far into the future.[/ex]

The date of an election is not normally announced so far in advance.[/ex]

•

as far as I know/can remember/can see/can tell — spoken used for stating what you think is true[/ex]

No one has complained, as far as I know.[/ex]

as far as possible — as much as possible[/ex]

We should keep to the original plan as far as possible.[/ex]

far from — used for saying that the real situation is the opposite of what you mention[/ex]

The battle is far from over.[/ex]

the far right / left — people whose political views are extremely right-wing/extremely left-wing[/ex]

so far — 1) until now[/ex]

So far we have considered only the local area.[/ex]

— 2) up to a particular point or degree

You can only get so far on good looks alone.[/ex]

so far, so good — used for saying that something has been successful up to this point[/ex]

See:

concerned,

cry II,

farther,

farthest

■ Further, farther, furthest, and farthest can all be used for talking about distance: Stand further/farther away from me. ♦ Who can jump furthest/farthest? ■ Further is often used for talking about the degree to which something happens: I expect prices to rise further (=rise more). But farther, farthest, and furthest are not often used in this way. ■ Further is also used as an adjective to mean ‘additional': There has been no further news. But farther cannot be used in this way.