What is far? Pronunciation and usage in English

far means . Learn how to pronounce and use far through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of far

faradverb

/fɑː/
Definition & pronunciation of far

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "far" in English. It's a tricky one for some learners!

Here's the most common and natural way to say it:

FAHR (rhymes with "car" or "star")

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

  • "F": Pronounced as you'd expect - like in "fish."
  • "A": Pronounced like the "a" in "father" or "car." It's a short, open vowel sound.
  • "R": This is where it gets tricky! American English tends to pronounce the "r" sound after vowels, even if it's a short vowel like in "far." So, you'll make a slight "r" sound – not a rolled "r" like you might hear in Spanish, but a quick tap of the tongue against the roof of your mouth.

Tips for getting it right:

  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it. You can find recordings online:

    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/%F0%9F%92%BB - This site lets you hear the word pronounced by various native speakers.
    • Google Search: Search for “how to pronounce far” and you’ll find many videos and audio clips.

  • Record yourself: Record yourself saying "far" and compare it to a native speaker's pronunciation.

  • Focus on the "r": Don’t let the "r" disappear! That’s often the biggest stumbling block.

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some more examples of words with similar sounds?
  • Explain the difference in pronunciation between American and British English (there can be slight variations)?

Usage and examples with the word far in English

Let's break down how to use the word "far" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings and uses. Here's a detailed explanation, broken down into categories:

1. Distance – The Most Common Use

  • Describing physical distance: This is by far the most frequent use of "far."

    • "The town is far from the coast." (It’s a long distance.)
    • "He lives far away in Kentucky." (He lives a significant distance away.)
    • "We hiked far into the mountains." (We traveled a long distance into the mountains.)
    • "The spaceship traveled far into space."

  • Comparative Adjective: "Far" is often used to form comparisons of distance.

    • "This house is far more expensive than that one." (More distant in value.)
    • "That's far better than I expected." (More desirable.)

2. As an Adverb (Describing Manner/Degree)

  • To a great extent / Very: "Far" can emphasize the degree of something.
    • "She is far happier now." (Much happier.)
    • "He's far more intelligent than he lets on." (Very intelligent.)
    • "The consequences were far reaching." (Extremely widespread.)
    • "The impact was far greater than anticipated." (Significantly greater.)

3. "Far" as a Prefix (Used with Verbs & Nouns)

This is a crucial area. "Far" as a prefix changes the meaning of a word, often adding the idea of distance or removal.

  • Verbs:

    • Farther/Further: Generally interchangeable (though "farther" is more common in American English). They both mean "a greater distance."
      • "I walked farther down the road."
      • "Let's go further into the forest."
    • To Farther/Further: Used with verbs like "go," "travel," "extend," etc.
      • "I need to go to farther lands."
      • “We will further our research.”
    • Far-reaching: (adjective) – Having significant consequences or effects. (See example above in #2 – adverbial use)
    • Far-off: (adjective) – Distant in space or time; remote.
      • "The far-off mountains looked beautiful."
      • "It was a far-off dream."
    • Far cry: (idiom) – A great difference; a misleading resemblance.
      • "There’s a far cry between wanting to do something and actually doing it."

  • Nouns:

    • Far-away: Describes something distant.
      • "A far-away country"
    • Far-flung: (adjective) – Reaching widely; distant.
      • "They lived a far-flung life."
    • Far-fetched: (adjective) – Implausible; unlikely.
      • "That story is a bit far-fetched."

4. "Far" as Part of Idioms and Phrases:

  • Far out: (informal) - Excellent, great, wonderful.
    • “That concert was far out!”
  • Far and wide: Everywhere; throughout a large area.
    • "The news spread far and wide."
  • Far be it from me...: (formal) – I don’t want to offend you, but... (often used as a polite disclaimer)
    • “Far be it from me to criticize your work, but…”

Tips for Usage:

  • “Farther” vs. “Further”: Think of “farther” as referring to physical distance (“How much farther?”) and “further” as referring to extent or degree (“Let’s discuss this further.”).

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "far" shifts depending on how it's used in a sentence. Pay close attention to the surrounding words.

  • Don’t Overuse: "Far" can sound a bit formal if used excessively. Vary your language.

Resources for More Information:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you interested in? (e.g., formal writing, casual conversation, a specific topic like travel, etc.)
  • Are there any particular sentences you're struggling to use "far" in correctly?

Synonyms for the word far

Comment ()