further Meaning & Definition
What Does Further Mean?
As a verb, further means To help forward; to assist. It can also mean To encourage growth; to support progress or growth of something; to promote. As an adjective, it means More distant; relatively distant. As an adverb, it means To, at or over a greater distance in space, time or other extent.
Further: Key Facts
| Part of speech | verb, adjective, adverb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈfɜːðə// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | advance, encourage and promote |
| Verb forms | furthers, furthering, furthered |
Further Definition (Verb)
- To help forward; to assist.
- To encourage growth; to support progress or growth of something; to promote.
Further the economy.
Further as an Adjective
- More distant; relatively distant.
See those two lampposts? Run to the further one.
- More, additional.
I have one further comment to make.
Further as an Adverb
- To, at or over a greater distance in space, time or other extent.
I can run further than you.
- To a greater extent or degree.
Of the two civilisations, this one was further advanced.
- Beyond what is already stated or is already the case.
Chapter 10 further explains the ideas introduced in Chapter 9.
- Also; in addition; furthermore; moreover.
It is overlong, and further, it makes no sense.
- Following on (from).
Further to our recent telephone call, I am writing to clarify certain points raised.
Adjective
- (comparative form of far) More distant; relatively distant.
He was standing at the further end of the corridor.
Adverb
- (comparative form of far) To, at or over a greater distance in space, time or other extent.
I can run further than you.
- (comparative form of far) To a greater extent or degree.
Of the two civilisations, this one was further advanced.
- (in the phrase 'further to') Following on (from).
Further to our recent telephone call, I am writing to clarify certain points raised.
Synonyms of Further
Further synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Further
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Further in a Sentence
Further the economy.
to further the peace process
See those two lampposts? Run to the further one.
He was standing at the further end of the corridor.
I have one further comment to make.
I can run further than you.
I live a little further out of town.
How was your company doing ten years further back?
Of the two civilisations, this one was further advanced.
I do not propose to discuss it any further. - Please, let me explain just a little further.
Chapter 10 further explains the ideas introduced in Chapter 9.
Don't confuse things further.
Further, affiant sayeth naught. (A formal statement ending a deposition or affidavit, immediately preceding the affiant's signature.)
It is overlong, and further, it makes no sense.
I claim further that he did not own the company but only worked there.
Further to our recent telephone call, I am writing to clarify certain points raised.
This example is further to the one on page 17.
Word Forms & Grammar
further (third-person singular simple present furthers, present participle furthering, simple past and past participle furthered)
further (not comparable)
Words That Rhyme With Further
Origin of Further
From Middle English further, forther, from Old English forþor, furþor (“further”, adverb), from Proto-West Germanic *furþer, from Proto-Indo-European *per- (a common preposition), equivalent to fore + -ther (a vestigial comparative ending still present in such words as other, either, whether, and, in altered form, in after); or as sometimes stated, as forth + -er. Cognate with Scots forder, furder (“further”), Saterland Frisian foarder (“further”), West Frisian fierder (“further”), Dutch verder (“further”), German fürder (“further”).
How to Pronounce Further
You say further as //ˈfɜːðə//. It has 1 syllable.
Quick Answers About Further
Is further a verb or an adjective?
Further is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as an adjective and an adverb.
What is another word for further?
Close synonyms of further are advance, encourage and promote. See the full list of further synonyms and antonyms.
What is the past tense of further?
The past tense of further is furthered. The present participle is furthering.