1 far
Pronounced:
/ˈfɑɚ/
Function:
adverbInflected forms:
far·ther /ˈfɑɚðɚ/ or fur·ther /ˈfɚðɚ/ far·thest /ˈfɑɚðəst/ or fur·thest /ˈfɚðəst/ Meaning:
1 : at or to a great distance in space or time ▪ The dog wandered far from home. ▪ These new discoveries will allow us to see far into the past. ▪ She lives far out in the country. ▪ the far distant future ▪ The house is set far back from the road. ▪ The deadline is not far off/away. ▪ regions far to the north ▪ a town not far from Chicago ▪ “Where's the park?” “It's not far (from here).” ▪ He still lives not far from where he was born. ▪ She doesn't like being so far (away) from home.
2 : to a great extent ▪ It's far [=much, a lot] easier to deal with these problems now. ▪ a far better choice ▪ The car is far too expensive. ▪ The two sides are still far apart. [=a long way apart] ▪ His policies are far different from those of his predecessor. ▪ People are now living far longer. ▪ “It is a far, far better thing that I do than I have ever done…” —Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities (1859)
3 : to or at a particular distance, point, or degree ▪ Those birds aren't usually seen this far north. ▪ They have offices as far west as Ohio. ▪ People come to this museum from as far away as California. ▪ The word was used as far back as the 17th century. ▪ The hills extend as far as the eye can see.
4 : to an advanced point or extent ▪ These reforms don't go far enough. ▪ They've gone about as far as they can. ▪ He drove the tent stake far [=deep] into the ground. ▪ We've come too far to quit now. ▪ We've accomplished a lot, but we still have far [=a long way] to go. ▪ She has a lot of talent. If she works hard, she should go far. [=she should be very successful]
as far as
1 also so far as a —used in expressions like as/so far as I know to say that you think a statement is true but that there may be something you do not know which makes it untrue ▪ It's safe, as far as I know. [=based on what I know, I think it's safe, although it is possible that it is not safe] ▪ The investigation isn't making much progress, as far as I can see/tell/judge. b —used in expressions like as/so far as (something) goes and as/so far as (something) is concerned to mean “about (something)” or “with regard to (something)” ▪ He has no worries as far as money is concerned. [=he has no worries about money] ▪ As far as the weather is concerned, we've been having nothing but rain for the past week. c —used in expressions like as/so far as (someone) is concerned to mean “in someone's opinion” ▪ As far as I'm concerned [=in my opinion], everything he says is a lie. ▪ As far as she's concerned, he's perfect.
2 informal : with regard to (something or someone) ▪ He's here. As far as [=as for] the others, they'll arrive later. [=the others will arrive later]
by far
: by a great extent or degree ▪ Frank was by far the best runner. = Frank was the best runner by far.
far and away
: by a great extent or degree : by far ▪ The college is far and away the best one in the area. ▪ Frank was far and away the best runner.
far and wide
1 : in every direction ▪ We searched far and wide [=everywhere] for the lost cat. : in many different places : very widely ▪ He's known far and wide for his skill as a cook.
2 : distant places ▪ People came from far and wide to attend the fair.
far be it from me
: it would not be correct or appropriate for me —followed by to + verb ▪ Far be it from me to tell you how to do your job. [=I should not tell you how to do your job] —often used when you are about to give advice or criticism and you know that you have no real right to say what you are going to say ▪ Far be it from me to interfere, but I don't know why you keep dating that guy.
far from
: certainly not : not at all ▪ The trip was far from a failure. [=the trip was not a failure at all] ▪ He was far from (being) friendly. [=he was not at all friendly] ▪ It is far from certain that the strike will be settled soon. ▪ The investigation is far from complete. ▪ She argues that the new law, far from being an aid to small businesses, will actually hurt them. ▪ “Was the movie disappointing?” “Far from it! We had a great time!”
far gone
informal : in a very bad, weak, or confused condition because of being sick, tired, drunk, etc. ▪ He had been drinking for a couple of hours, so he was pretty far gone by then. ▪ She was too far gone to understand what we were asking her.
far off
: very wrong : very far from being correct ▪ He was not far off in his predictions.
few and far between —see 1few
from far and near or from near and far
: from distant places and from near places : from many different places ▪ people came from far and near
how far
1 : to what extent or degree ▪ She didn't know how far to trust him. [=she didn't know how much she could trust him]
2 —used to ask about the distance between places ▪ How far is it (from here) to the station, please?
in so far as —see insofar as
so far
1 : until the present time : to this point ▪ He has written only two books so far. ◊The phrase so far, so good is used to say that something (such as a project or an activity) has proceeded well or without problems until now. ▪ “How's the work on your house going?” “There's a lot more to do, but so far, so good.”
2 : to a certain point, degree, or distance ▪ Intelligence will only take you so far without effort. [=intelligence by itself is not enough for success; effort is also needed]
so far as —see as far as 1 (above)
thus far
: until the present time : so far ▪ Thus far the results have been disappointing.