far */*/*/

UK [fɑː(r)] / US [fɑr] adjective, adverb
Word forms "far":
adjective far comparative farther UK [ˈfɑː(r)ðə(r)] / US [ˈfɑrðər] or further UK [ˈfɜː(r)ðə(r)] / US [ˈfɜrðər] superlative farthest UK [ˈfɑː(r)ðɪst] / US [ˈfɑrðəst] or furthest UK [ˈfɜː(r)ðɪst] / US [ˈfɜrðəst]

Summary:

Far can be used in the following ways: - as an adverb: Have you travelled far today? - after the verb "to be": We can walk to school – it isn't far. - as an adjective: on the far side of the river
Collocations:
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.

1) used for talking about distance

a) [usually in negatives or questions] a long distance

You can go outside and play, but don't go far.

far from:

The main post office is not far from the library.

far away:

Then from far away the train whistle sounded.

far back/above/below etc:

He always sat as far back as possible in the lecture hall.

b) used for asking or stating how great a distance is

how far?:

How far does this road go?

How far is it to the next town?

as far as:

She had got as far as the museum before he found her.

c) [only before noun] used for referring to the end or side of something that is a greater distance from you

She moved to the far side of the bed to make room.

He saw Lynn standing at the far end of the bar.

d) [only before noun] used for referring to the part of an area or space that is nearest one side or end of it

the far left/right:

I'm the one on the far left.

the far north/south/east/west:

a little village in the far north of Scotland

e) literary distant

a traveller from a far country

•

Usage note:
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) used for emphasis in comparisons used for emphasizing a difference when you are making a comparison

far more/bigger/better etc (= much more, bigger etc):

The situation is bad in England, but it is far worse in Scotland.

The Prime Minister is far more interested in the vote.

far above/below (= much more or less than something):

There are more than 97 signatures, which is far above the required number.

The results were far below our expectations.

far too much/big/easy etc (= much too much, much too big etc):

The issue is far too important to be discussed behind closed doors.

You eat far too much.

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

How far have you got with the planning?

We want to stress just how far the committee has progressed.

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

4) to a particular degree

a) used for asking or saying how true something is or to what degree it happens

How far do you think the novel supports the idea that women should never rely on men?

The latest opinion polls show how far the government's popularity has fallen.

b) used for talking about how extreme someone's actions are or how great an effect they have

go too far (= be too extreme):

Do you think feminism has gone too far?

carry something too far (= do something too much):

I realize that she wants to protect her children, but she's carrying it too far.

go as/so far as to do something:

He even went as far as to accuse me of betraying him.

5) used for talking about time a long time in the past or the future, or a long time before or after a particular time

far into:

The bank had intended to be a global leader far into the next century.

far back (= long ago):

A castle has stood on this site since as far back as 1230.

far in advance (= a long time before something):

The date of an election is not normally announced so far in advance.

•

as far as I know/can remember/can see/can tell — spoken used for saying what you think is true when you think that there may be facts that you do not know, remember etc

No one has complained, as far as I know.

He was the only one who enjoyed the play, as far as I can remember.

the far right/left — people whose political views are either extremely right-wing or left-wing

not far off (the mark)= not far wrong — almost correct or accurate

I'm told that most of what's been reported in the newspapers is not too far off the mark.

I thought it would happen in early April, and I wasn't far wrong.

someone should/will go far — used for saying that you think someone will be successful in the future

a ... too far — something that comes after a series of other things of the same kind, and that causes trouble because it is too extreme

The 15% surcharge on fuel will be seen as a tax too far.

- as far as it goes

- as far as possible

- by far

- far and wide

- far be it from me to do something

- far from

- far from it

- far removed from something

- not go far

- so far

- so far, so good

See:

concerned, cry II, farther, farthest, reach II