Far Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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far

[fษ‘หr ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adverb

distance

At, to, or by a great distance in space or time.

Synonyms

distant, far-off, remote.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
far

Used to describe something that is a long distance away in terms of physical space or can also refer to an extensive degree or a large extent.

  • Her house is far from the city center.
  • The movie is far better than the book.
distant

Refers to something that is far away in space or time. Often used more formally or to describe something more abstract like memories or relations.

  • He stared into the distant mountains.
  • She had a distant look in her eyes, lost in thought.
remote

Used to describe something that is far away from populated areas or not easily accessible. Can also imply limited connection or relevance.

  • They live in a remote village with no road access.
  • The chances of success seem remote.
far-off

Typically used to describe something that is very far away, often sounding more poetic or mysterious. Frequent in literature and storytelling.

  • They dreamed of a far-off land.
  • In some far-off future, technology might solve this problem.

Examples of usage

  • They live far away from here.
  • The deadline is still far in the future.
Context #2 | Adjective

distance

Situated at a great distance in space or time.

Synonyms

distant, far-off, remote.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
far

Commonly used to describe a significant physical distance or metaphorical distance. It can describe how far something is in comparison to something else.

  • The park is far from my house
  • His dreams seemed far from reality
distant

Often used to describe something far away in time or space. It can also imply emotional distance.

  • She had a distant look in her eyes
  • Their house is in a distant part of the country
remote

Typically describes something very distant, often isolated or hard to reach. It can also refer to abstract concepts like probabilities.

  • They live in a remote village
  • There is a remote chance of winning the lottery
far-off

Used to describe a very great distance in space or time, usually something that is difficult to reach or imagine.

  • He dreamed of visiting far-off lands
  • The event happened in a far-off past

Examples of usage

  • The far corners of the earth.
  • The far future.
Context #3 | Noun

distance

A long way off.

Synonyms

distance, farness, remoteness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
far

Used to describe something that is at a great distance in space or time.

  • The mountain peak is far from here
  • The deadline for the project is far off
distance

Refers to the amount of space between two points. Often used when talking about measurable space.

  • The distance between the two cities is 200 miles
  • He measured the distance between the two shelves
remoteness

Typically describes a location that is isolated or far from populated areas. Often implies difficulty in reaching or accessing the place.

  • The remoteness of the island attracted only the most adventurous travelers
  • The remoteness of the cabin made it the perfect getaway
farness

An uncommon term used to describe the state of being far away. It's often more abstract and rarely used in everyday conversation.

  • The farness of her voice indicated she was speaking from another room
  • The painting depicted the farness of the horizon

Examples of usage

  • The far of the horizon.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Geography

  • The concept of distance is essential in geography, where 'far' often defines travel times and accessibility.
  • Places can be described as far apart based on time taken to travel between them, such as a two-hour flight vs a ten-hour drive.
  • In geography, 'far' is often contrasted with 'near', helping people understand relative location.

Culture

  • In literature and folklore, journeys 'far' away are often central to quest narratives, symbolizing personal growth.
  • Songs and poems frequently use 'far' to convey longing or desire, capturing emotional distances alongside physical ones.
  • Different cultures may express the idea of distance and separation in distinct ways, influencing how 'far' is perceived.

Psychology

  • Research suggests that physical distance can influence emotional distance; what feels far away can also feel disconnected emotionally.
  • Childrenโ€™s cognition of space evolves; they learn 'far' means understanding distances through exploration and play.
  • Studies in social psychology show people perceive others as 'far' or 'near' depending on personal relationships and social ties.

Technology

  • In technology, 'far' is often used in network discussions, where signals must travel long distances to reach devices.
  • GPS and mapping technologies help people quantify 'far' by calculating distances in real-time.
  • The concept of 'far' has evolved in digital communication, with virtual distance often felt due to less face-to-face interaction.

Origin of 'far'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'far' comes from the Old English 'feor', meaning 'distant' or 'remote'.
  • In German, 'fern' means far, showing a similarity between related languages.
  • The term has roots in Proto-Germanic *ferwaz, which indicates a distance, highlighting its long historical journey.

The word 'far' originated from the Old English word 'feor', which meant 'distant, remote'. Over time, the meaning evolved to represent a great distance in space or time. It has been used in various contexts to describe the vastness of distance and time.


See also: faraway, farce, farness, further.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #177, this word is extremely common in English. It's a crucial part of basic vocabulary that's used constantly in both spoken and written communication, making it essential for even basic conversations.