further
further
Pronunciation
further
/ˈfɜːrðər/
fɜːr-: /f/ (voiceless labiodental fricative) + /ɜː/ (nurse vowel) + /r/ (voiced alveolar approximant)
-ðər: /ð/ (voiced dental fricative) + /ər/ (schwa + r-colored vowel)
Word Form Variations
The word "further" is a complex case because it functions primarily as an adverb, adjective, and verb. It does not have typical singular/plural forms like nouns.
Adverb: further
Adjective: further
Verb:
Present Simple (all persons except 3rd singular): further
Present Simple (3rd person singular): furthers
Present Participle/Gerund: furthering
Past Simple: furthered
Past Participle: furthered
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
To a greater distance or degree; more:
Definition: Indicating an advanced stage, increased extent, or additional amount of something.
Synonyms: more, additionally, beyond, moreover, consequently
Antonyms: less, nearer, closer, backward
In addition to what has been said or done; moreover:
Definition: Used to introduce a new point or piece of information that builds upon or supplements what has already been presented.
Synonyms: furthermore, moreover, additionally, besides, also
Antonyms: conversely, however, notwithstanding
Adjective
More distant in space, time, or degree; additional:
Definition: Describing something located at a greater remove, occurring later, or representing an extra quantity or element.
Synonyms: additional, more, extra, supplementary, ulterior
Antonyms: closer, nearer, former, previous, less
Verb
To help the progress or development of (something); promote:
Definition: To advance, assist, or contribute to the successful growth or achievement of a plan, cause, or endeavor.
Synonyms: promote, advance, aid, assist, foster, facilitate
Antonyms: hinder, impede, obstruct, deter, frustrate, delay
Examples of Use
Books: "The detective pressed for further details, sensing a deeper mystery beneath the surface of the alibi." (From a contemporary mystery novel)
Newspapers: "The government announced plans to further invest in renewable energy sources, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 20% by 2030." ( The Guardian, June 2024)
Online Publications: "For further reading on the impact of artificial intelligence on employment, visit our special report section." (TechCrunch, May 2025)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film Dialogue: "We must investigate this anomaly further before making any rash decisions." (From a science fiction film)
Song Lyrics: "And if you want to go further, I'll walk with you every step of the way." (From a popular song)
Video Game Tutorial: "Complete these side quests to further develop your character's skills." (From a role-playing video game)
General Public Discourse:
"I'd like to further elaborate on my previous point regarding the budget cuts." (From a public town hall meeting)
"Can you provide any further information about the concert schedule?" (A question asked to a concert organizer)
"We need to discuss this further at our next team meeting." (A common phrase used in workplace communication)
10 Quotes Using Further
"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." (Isaac Newton)
"Where globalization means, as it so often does, that the rich and powerful now have new means to further enrich and empower themselves at the cost of the poorer and weaker, we have a responsibility to protest in the name of universal freedom." (Nelson Mandela)
"It's like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way." (E. L. Doctorow)
"We are here and it is now. Further than that, all human knowledge is moonshine." (H. L. Mencken)
"And so you touch this limit, something happens and you suddenly can go a little bit further." (Ayrton Senna)
"Competition has been shown to be useful up to a certain point and no further, but cooperation, which is the thing we must strive for today, begins where competition leaves off." (Franklin D. Roosevelt)
"It is always wise to look ahead, but difficult to look further than you can see." (Winston Churchill)
"We are all atheists about most of the gods that societies have ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further." (Richard Dawkins)
"Life is an unfoldment, and the further we travel the more truth we can comprehend." (Hypatia)
"If you can do what you do best and be happy, you're further along in life than most people." (Leonardo DiCaprio)
Etymology
The word "further" has a pretty ancient history, tracing its roots all the way back to Old English (the language spoken in England before the Norman Conquest in 1066).
Imagine the word "forth," meaning "forward" or "onward." "Further" essentially comes from a comparative form of that word, like adding "-er" to make something "more." So, think of it as meaning "more forth" or "more onward."
The first known uses of "further" as an adverb and a verb date back to before the 12th century (so, before the year 1100).
As an adverb, its initial meaning was very literal: "to a more advanced position," "forward," or "onward." You could say someone went "further down the road."
As a verb, it meant "to impel," "urge on," "advance," or "promote." So, to "further" something meant to help it move forward or progress.
Over time, "further" also started to be used as an adjective (dating back to the 13th century), meaning "more distant" or "additional."
It's interesting to note that "further" and "farther" actually come from the same ancient root and were often used interchangeably for a long time. However, a common distinction that developed later is to use "farther" for physical distance and "further" for more abstract ideas like "additional" or "to a greater degree." But historically, they've been very close relatives!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Further
Further ado: Without further ado (meaning without more delay or fuss).
Further notice: Until further notice (meaning until a new instruction or announcement is made).
Further investigation: To require further investigation (meaning more detailed examination is needed).
Further education: Pursuing further education (meaning higher education beyond compulsory schooling).
Further details: For further details (meaning to get more information).
Further on: A little further on (meaning a short distance ahead).
To further a cause: To further a cause (meaning to promote or advance an objective).
Nothing could be further from the truth: (An idiom meaning the exact opposite is true).
To go a step further: (Meaning to do more than what is expected or required).
Further down the line: (Meaning at a later stage or in the future).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of further from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
