farther

English

Etymology

Variant of further.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: fä′thə, IPA^(key): /ˈfɑːðə/
• (US) enPR: fär′thər, IPA^(key): /ˈfɑɹðɚ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)ðə(ɹ)
• Homophone: father (in non-rhotic accents)

Adjective

farther

1. Alternative form of further. (See also the usage notes at further.)
   • 1813, Pride & Prejudice:

     The necessity must be obeyed, and farther apology would be absurd.

   • 1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], chapter L, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 13:

     Mary translated this into the lady being born in Pisa, of English parents; and might have made farther inquiries of the man who had been with them in the capacity of courier ever since they arrived, and who was intelligent and faithful...

Adverb

farther

1. Alternative form of further. (See also the usage notes at further.)
   • 1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral., London: Oxford University Press, published 1973, § 5:

     But as the matter is often carried farther, even to the absolute rejecting of all profound reasonings, or what is commonly called metaphysics, we shall now proceed to consider what can reasonably be pleaded in their behalf.

Verb

farther (third-person singular simple present farthers, present participle farthering, simple past and past participle farthered)

1. (uncommon or old-fashioned) Alternative form of further.