Definition of far adverb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

far

adverb

/fɑr/

farther, farthest or further, furthest

distance

1 a long distance awayWe didn't go far.Have you come far?It's not far to the beach.There's not far to go now. far (from, away, below, etc.)The restaurant is not far from here.countries as far apart as Japan and BrazilHe looked down at the traffic far below.Far away in the distance, a train whistled.The farther north they went, the colder it became.a concert of music from near and farhelp In positive sentences it is more usual to use a long way: We went a long way.We went far. The restaurant is a long way from here.2 used when you are asking or talking about the distance between two places, or the distance that has been traveled or is to be traveledHow far is it to your house from here?How far is Boston from New York?How much farther is it?We'll go by train as far as Boston, and then take a bus.We didn't go as far as the others.I'm not sure I can walk so far.

time

3 a long time from the present; for a large part of a particular period of time far backThe band made their first record as far back as 1990.To answer that question we need to go farther back in time. far aheadLet's try to plan farther ahead. far into somethingWe worked far into the night.

degree

4 very much; to a great degreeThat's a far better idea.There are far more opportunities for young people than there used to be.It had been a success far beyond their expectations.He's fallen far behind in his work.She always gives us far too much homework.5 used when you are asking or talking about the degree to which something is true or possibleHow far can we trust him?His parents supported him as far as they could.Plan your route in advance, using main roads as far as possible.

progress

6 used to talk about how much progress has been made in doing or achieving somethingHow far have you gotten with that report?Half an hour later David was no farther in his quest.I read as far as the third chapter.We've gotten as far as collecting our data but we haven't analyzed it yet. note at farther

IDIOMS

as far as the eye can/could see

to the horizon (= where the sky meets the land or ocean)

The cornfields stretched on all sides as far as the eye could see.as far as the eye can seeas far as the eye could see

as/so far as I am/I'm concerned

used to give your personal opinion on something

As far as I'm concerned, you can do whatever you want.as far as I am/I'm concernedso far as I am/I'm concerned

as far as I know

as far as I can remember, see, tell, etc.

used to say that you think you know, remember, understand, etc. something but you cannot be completely sure, especially because you do not know all the facts

As far as we knew, there was no cause for concern.As far as I can see, you haven't done anything wrong.She lived in Chicago, as far as I can remember.as far as I know

as/so far as someone/something is concerned

as/so far as someone/something goes

used to give facts or an opinion about a particular aspect of something

She's doing fine as far as French is concerned, it's her German I'm worried about.as far as is concernedso far as is concerned

as/so far as it goes

to a limited degree, usually less than is sufficient

It's a good plan as far as it goes, but there are a lot of things they haven't thought of.as far as it goesso far as it goes

by far

(used with comparative or superlative adjectives or adverbs) by a great amountThe last of these reasons is by far the most important.Amy is the smartest by far.by far

carry/take something too far

to continue doing something beyond reasonable limits

carry too fartake too far

far/farther/further afield

far away from home; to or in places that are not near

You can rent a car if you want to explore further afield.Journalists came from as far afield as China.far/further afieldfarther/further afield

far and away

(followed by comparative or superlative adjectives) by a very great amountShe's far and away the best player.far and away

far and wide

over a large area

They searched far and wide for the missing child.far and wide

far be it from me to do something (but…)

(informal) used when you are just about to disagree with someone or to criticize them and you would like them to think that you do not really want to do thisFar be it from me to interfere in your plans, but I would like to give you just one piece of advice.far be it from me to dofar be it from me to do but

far from something/from doing something

almost the opposite of something or of what is expected

It is far from clear (= it is not clear) what he intends to do.Computers, far from destroying jobs, can create employment.far from doingfar from from doing

far from it

(informal) used to say that the opposite of what someone says is true“You're not angry, then?” “Far from it. I've never laughed so much in my life.”far from it

few and far between

not frequent; not happening often

few and far between

go far

(of people) to be very successful in the futureShe is very talented and should go far.go far

go far enough

(used in questions and negative sentences) to achieve all that is wantedThe new legislation is welcome but does not go far enough.Do these measures go far enough?(disapproving)Stop it now. The joke has gone far enough (= it has continued too long).go far enough

go so/as far as to…

to be willing to go to extreme or surprising limits in dealing with something

I wouldn't go as far as to say that he's a liar (= but I think he may be slightly dishonest).In June, he went so far as to offer his resignation.go so far as togo as far as to

go too far

go this/that far

to behave in an extreme way that is not acceptable

He's always been kind of crude, but this time he's gone too far.I never thought she'd go this far.go too far

in so/as far as

to the degree that

That's the truth, in so far as I know it.in so far asin as far as

not far off/wrong

(informal) almost correctYour guess wasn't far off at all.not far offnot far wrong

not go far

1 (of money) to not be enough to buy a lot of thingsTwenty dollars doesn't go very far these days.2 (of a supply of something) to not be enough for what is neededFour bottles of wine won't go far among twenty people.not go far

so far

thus far

until now; up to this point

What do you think of the book so far?Detectives are so far at a loss to explain the reason for his death.so far

so far

(informal) only to a limited degreeI trust him only so far.so far

so far, so good

(saying) used to say that things have been successful until now and you hope they will continue to do so, but you know the task, etc. is not finished yetso far, so good

so near and yet so far

used to comment on something that was almost successful, but in fact failed

so near and yet so far