# far

/ˈfɑɹ/ (US) · /fˈɑː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/far
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. at a great distance

adverb · CEFR A1

at, to, or from a great distance in space or time.

For teachers: to, at, or from a considerable distance in space or time.

- How far is the nearest train station from here?
- The explorers travelled far into the uncharted wilderness, eventually losing all contact with the base camp for several weeks.

Usage: Often used in questions with 'how' or in negative sentences; in positive statements, 'a long way' is often preferred in speech.

### 2. by a great amount

adverb · CEFR A2

very much; used to emphasize a difference.

For teachers: by a considerable margin or degree; frequently used as an intensifier for comparative adjectives and adverbs.

- This new laptop is far better than my old one.
- The initial estimates for the project were far lower than the actual costs incurred during the construction phase.

Usage: Typically precedes a comparative adjective or adverb like 'better', 'faster', or 'more'.

### 3. distant

adjective · CEFR A1

a long way away in space or time.

For teachers: remote in space, time, or relation.

- He dreamed of travelling to far countries across the ocean.
- The lighthouse was visible on the far horizon, blinking rhythmically against the darkening sky.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'the far side' or 'the far end'.

### 4. extreme or distant side

adjective · CEFR B1

the more distant of two things.

For teachers: being the more distant or remote of two or more items or sides.

- The bathroom is at the far end of the hallway on the left.
- The hikers finally reached the far side of the valley just as the sun began to set behind the peaks.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it modifies.

## Examples

- The nearest gas station is not far from here.
- We had to walk quite far into the woods before we found the hidden waterfall.
- The implications of the new policy extend far beyond the immediate financial impact, potentially reshaping the entire social landscape of the region.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.